New Delhi: Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Indira Gandhi International Airport on October 10, ahead of their proposed protest at Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was planned to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP legal team head Ratna Singh, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and more than 400 others were also reportedly detained, according to the source report. Police were taking the three CJP leaders to separate locations, with Dipke being taken to Gurugram, Das to another location in Delhi and Ranka to Dwarka.
Police Deny Permission, Cite Law and Order Concerns
Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed demonstration, citing law and order concerns, procedural deficiencies in the party’s notification and alleged violations of protest conditions in the past.
Police maintained that the party had not submitted a valid application under the prescribed procedure. According to the police communication cited in the report, applications for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar must be submitted at least 10 days in advance.
Before travelling to Delhi, Dipke had reportedly said he was prepared to face arrest. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of using security restrictions to prevent people from participating in the protest.
Security Tightened Across Delhi
Delhi Police tightened security across the national capital ahead of the proposed gathering. At least 600 people were reportedly detained under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act.
Barricades were placed at key intersections, while police personnel monitored vehicles and movement around central Delhi. Traffic restrictions came into force at 6 am, with diversions planned around Connaught Place, Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk and other busy areas.
Affected stretches included the Ashoka Road–Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg–Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road–Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Gol Dak Khana and Windsor Place. Authorities said traffic arrangements could be revised depending on the law and order situation.
