New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke in connection with the organisation’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally at Connaught Place’s Central Park on Friday. He is scheduled to be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court on Saturday.
CJP’s head of legal affairs, Ratna Singh, announced the arrest in a post on X, saying Dipke would be produced before the court. She also said his whereabouts were still unknown to the party and that his lawyers had not been able to meet him.
The arrest comes amid heightened security in central Delhi following a series of protests linked to the CJP and its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
AISA Member Neha Bora Also Detained
All India Students’ Association (AISA) member Neha Bora was also detained near Mandi House as police stepped up security across central Delhi. According to the report, she was briefly released following her detention.
The developments come amid tensions following the arrest of CJP co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Both were sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar and unfurling the national flag on October 13.
The incident took place a day after Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest site.
Police Had Warned Against Unauthorised Rally
Friday’s action followed a notice issued to Dipke by Delhi Police ahead of the proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally. The notice stated that Connaught Place was not a notified protest site and that the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had not granted permission for the proposed Tiranga Yatra.
Issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the notice warned that holding the march or assembling a crowd in violation of the restrictions in force could invite legal action.
During an interaction with police personnel at his residence, Dipke questioned the grounds for the proposed detention and asked what allegations had been made against him.
When police told him that he could not travel to New Delhi and was being detained, he questioned which law he had violated, arguing that he could travel elsewhere.
Police clarified that displaying or waving the national flag was not prohibited in itself. However, they said an unauthorised procession or gathering in violation of applicable restrictions could lead to legal action. Dipke was also reminded of the Flag Code provisions governing the respectful display of the national flag.
Second Detention of Dipke Within a Week
Saturday’s arrest marks the second time Dipke has been detained by Delhi Police within a week, according to the report.
He was previously taken into custody shortly after arriving in the national capital from Mumbai to participate in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The proposed demonstration concerned allegations of electoral-roll manipulation during the SIR exercise.
The latest developments have intensified tensions surrounding the CJP’s protests and the restrictions imposed on demonstrations in central Delhi.