New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been placed under preventive arrest, Delhi Police said, amid heightened security in the national capital ahead of the party’s proposed ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ protest.
The protest was planned against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing law-and-order concerns, public safety and possible inconvenience to residents.
CJP Leaders Detained After Landing in Delhi
Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained by Delhi Police shortly after their flight from Mumbai landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday. The detention came as authorities tightened security measures ahead of the planned demonstration.
The three leaders were among those held as police took steps to prevent protesters from gathering at Jantar Mantar. The party had planned to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged discrepancies in the SIR exercise.
Police Cite Preventive Action Amid Protest Restrictions
The preventive arrests came amid a wider security operation across Delhi to prevent the proposed gathering. Police had deployed personnel at key locations and imposed restrictions around the protest site, citing concerns over public order.
Most people detained during Saturday’s crackdown were subsequently released, while Dipke, Das and Ranka remained in police custody. Police said the three leaders had been placed under preventive arrest, with legal procedures to follow.
The CJP protest has drawn attention to allegations concerning the revision of electoral rolls and the restrictions imposed on demonstrations in the capital. The allegations regarding the SIR process remain contested.