By Sunday, some of the movement restrictions placed on commuters had been lifted, one day after authorities deployed heightened security measures around Jantar Mantar ahead of a planned protest against the SIR. Metro station access points reopened for passengers moving in and out, while internet connectivity returned to the central parts of Delhi.
Arrests, detentions, and street demonstrations continued across the period, with new police complaints filed alongside them. According to police sources, the Saturday demonstration led to more than 20 first information reports being filed, covering alleged contraventions of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), interference with public servants carrying out their official duties, physical attacks on police personnel, and a range of additional charges.
Figures from police sources placed the number of those taken into custody at 400, while separate accounts put the total at more than 700. At Connaught Place and RK Ashram Marg, among other sites across the city, gatherings of protesters maintained their call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down from his post. Officers were stationed at locations deemed vulnerable, with their presence intended to discourage gatherings and maintain public order.
Three individuals — Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka — were released after an executive magistrate court directed their discharge, having been held under preventive detention following their arrival in the capital on Saturday. A formal pledge to keep the peace for twelve months secured their release. Dipke subsequently denied having signed any such agreement. A representative of the group pledged to continue protests against the CEC.
Conflicting accounts emerged between police and Dipke, the CJP founder, over two points: the timing of when he received word of his grandmother's passing, and how officers handled his time in custody.
Following his release from police custody, Dipke made his way to advocate Kapil Sibal's residence in Delhi. He stated that during his detention at IGI Airport, access to his phone was withheld, contact with his lawyer was not permitted, and he was unable to speak with his cousin upon learning of his grandmother's passing. He also stated that Delhi Police came to him at 3:30 in the morning and directed him to telephone his parents with news of his arrest. He said relatives were already in a state of grief and that the outcome would have deepened that pain considerably, characterising the behaviour as wholly without empathy or care for those affected.
Video released by Delhi Police on Sunday showed an officer informing Dipke that his grandmother had died. The officer, who held a senior rank, stated he had received notification of the death at approximately 2pm. Footage from the recording showed the officer conveying sympathy over the bereavement and offering travel arrangements — whether by bus or by plane — should Dipke wish to attend the funeral. Each time the question arose, Dipke indicated he intended to stay.
In the footage, the officer offered to arrange a phone call with a family member through a verified police line. When asked whether contact with his father was possible, Dipke indicated that no such conversation would be taking place. During the proceedings, Dipke said the words "Funeral kara do." The officer informed him that the funeral had been set for the following day and that police would assist with any arrangements required. Dipke held to his position. The officer indicated that should he change his mind, the option of contacting the police remained open to him.
Responding to the footage police had shared, Dipke posted on X to question why the portion showing him requesting his phone — in order to look up his cousin's contact details — had been removed from the clip. He also stated that a request to speak with legal counsel had been made at that point in the proceedings.
Delhi Police characterised its actions — including attending at 3:30 in the morning to obtain a signature on arrest papers, informing Dipke of his grandmother's death, and arranging transport for him to return home — as a gesture of consideration. Dipke stated that the manner in which officers handled the early morning visit stood in contrast to how they had behaved earlier. He said he was directed to sign the arrest paperwork even after having informed the officers of the bereavement, and that his cooperation came only after access to legal counsel was granted.
After addressing reporters in Nagpur on Sunday evening — having travelled from New Delhi earlier that day — Dipke then travelled by road toward Hingoli district, where his grandmother had passed away.
