Delhi Police Orders Temporary Suspension Of Mobile Internet Around Janpath-Kartavya Path Ahead Of 10th October Protest
Delhi Police Orders Temporary Suspension Of Mobile Internet Around Janpath-Kartavya Path Ahead Of 10th October Protest
New Delhi: In a significant security measure ahead of the massive demonstration called at Jantar Mantar on 10th October, the Delhi Police Special Cell has ordered temporary suspension of mobile internet services in and around Central Delhi.
According to an order issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell (HQ), Delhi, vide No. 17761-65/X/Spl. Cell dated 09th October 2026, the Union Home Secretary has considered and authorized a request for suspension of internet services.
The order, marked as TOP SECRET and signed by Manishi Chandra, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell (HQ), Delhi, has been sent to the Nodal Officers of Airtel, Vodafone/Idea, Jio and MTNL, Delhi.
The subject of the order is “Temporary suspension of internet services under sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 read with Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunications Act 2023.”
As per the memo, mobile internet services of all technologies will remain suspended at and around a radius of 04 kms from Janpath-Kartavya Path Crossing from 2200 Hrs of 09/10/2026 to 2200 Hrs of 10/10/2026.
The authorization for the same has been conveyed vide order No. 22016/12/2019-CIS-IV dated 09.10.2026 of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The order states, “It is, therefore, requested to take all necessary steps to implement the above order immediately.”
A copy of the order has also been marked to the OSD to Commissioner of Police, Delhi.
The 4-km radius from Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing covers almost entire Lutyens’ Delhi and New Delhi district including Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Parliament Street, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Khan Market, Supreme Court area and parts of Karoll Bagh and Daryaganj.
This is the same area where prohibitory orders have already been imposed and 37 metro stations are being closed in view of the protest call demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and immediate stop to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The temporary internet shutdown is seen as a preventive measure to stop rumour-mongering, mobilization through social media and to maintain law and order during the proposed demonstration.
Mobile users in Central Delhi are likely to face suspension of data services, while voice calling may continue. Broadband and leased lines are not mentioned in the order.
Delhi Police and MHA have not yet issued an official public statement on the internet suspension order.
