# Legal challenges to police detentions during anti-ECI probes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-challenges-to-police-detentions-during-anti-eci-probes > Updated: 2026-10-19T09:31:54.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have led to legal challenges regarding the legality of police detentions in India. In Goa, the Bombay High Court ordered the immediate release of seven individuals detained during a protest at Azad Maidan in Panaji. The court noted that the detention appeared unauthorized due to the absence of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. While police defended the action by stating the group entered the ground after a public gathering application was rejected, the court directed the return of the detainees' mobile phones. Following these events, the Bombay High Court sought a response from the Maharashtra government regarding petitions alleging illegal detentions by the Mumbai Police during protests on October 10 and 11, 2026. Some petitioners claim individuals were detained despite not participating in the protests, with some alleging they were taken from their homes. The State Advocate General maintained that “nobody has been illegally detained” and argued that police acted to disperse a crowd that had blocked Nana Chowk without permission. The court has requested the State to file an affidavit through a senior officer regarding these allegations. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Bombay High Court seeks response on alleged illegal Mumbai Police detentions The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra government to respond to allegations of illegal police detentions during recent anti-Chief Election Commissioner protests in Mumbai. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bombay-high-court-seeks-response-on-alleged-illegal-mumbai-police-detentions ### 2026-10-12: Bombay High Court orders release of seven anti-ECI protesters The Bombay High Court at Goa ordered the release of seven protesters detained at Panaji’s Azad Maidan, ruling the detention appeared unauthorized due to a lack of formal prohibitory orders. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bombay-high-court-orders-release-of-seven-anti-eci-protesters --- Cite as: Legal challenges to police detentions during anti-ECI probes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-challenges-to-police-detentions-during-anti-eci-probes