After 8-hour standoff, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi detained at Akashvani Bhawan

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by the Delhi Police on Tuesday evening after keeping their protest going for more than eight hours inside Akashvani Bhawan.

The detention brought the day-long confrontation between the INDIA bloc and the authorities to an end. The Delhi Police also detained several protesters gathered outside the Akashvani premises.

How the standoff began

The standoff began after the Opposition's march towards the Election Commission headquarters was stopped by the Delhi Police. More than 300 Opposition MPs had participated in the march towards Nirvachan Sadan, following which several leaders were detained.

Instead of waiting to be detained along with the other MPs, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi changed course and entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises. Their move turned the road protest into an unexpected sit-in inside the broadcasting house.

Rahul, Priyanka remained inside for hours

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi remained inside Akashvani Bhawan for several hours and were joined by several Congress leaders and workers.

The protesters demanded that the police either allow them to proceed to the Election Commission or provide them with a designated place in Delhi where they could continue their protest.

After more than eight hours, the Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, bringing the prolonged standoff at Akashvani Bhawan to a close.