New Delhi Metro station closed amid Cockroach Janta Party protests

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday said the New Delhi Metro station has been closed till further instructions, adding that no interchange facility will be available at the station.

The metro operator did not specify the reason behind the closure.

The development comes a day after the DMRC had shut 17 metro stations across the national capital from 7:30 am until further instructions amid heightened security arrangements. While stations including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat were closed for entry and exit, interchange facilities had remained operational at these key junctions.

On Thursday, the affected stations included Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium and Jhandewalan, with the latter being added to the list later in the day.

The restrictions coincided with the ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak, with demonstrators gathering at Jantar Mantar and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The CJP had alleged that internet services were disrupted around Jantar Mantar, claiming the move was aimed at preparing for another police crackdown. In posts on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned the internet shutdown and appealed to police and paramilitary personnel not to use force against protesters.