Delhi Police detained Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), on Friday, October 16, ahead of the organisation’s planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place. The detention came after police visited the residence where Dipke was staying, served him a notice and warned him against proceeding with the gathering in violation of prohibitory orders.
The police action came under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers authorities to issue urgent orders to prevent potential disturbances and threats to public safety. Police said the proposed gathering lacked the necessary permission and could affect traffic, commuters and businesses in the busy commercial district, particularly during the festive season. Central Park was also closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.
According to reports, police first visited Dipke at the residence of Anish Gawande, an NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson, in the Karol Bagh area. Officers subsequently detained him as he attempted to leave. In a video shared by the party, Dipke questioned the action, arguing that the group intended to wave the national flag and asking why it was being stopped.
The march was organised in solidarity with two CJP leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were recently sent to five days of judicial custody following an earlier demonstration at a site where protests were prohibited. The latest mobilisation was also supported by left-wing student groups, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA).
The protests are part of a wider campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties and student groups have alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists has unfairly excluded voters and could benefit the BJP. The Election Commission has denied allegations of political bias, maintaining that eligible voters whose names were wrongly removed can seek re-enrolment.
Ahead of Friday’s march, Dipke had defended the campaign as a democratic exercise, arguing that demanding accountability from those in power should not be treated as an attempt to create disorder. He had also expressed readiness to face detention rather than call off the proposed flag march.
The detention marks another escalation in the confrontation between the CJP and authorities over demonstrations against the Election Commission. While police have cited prohibitory orders and public-safety concerns, the party has questioned restrictions on its proposed gathering, insisting that displaying the national flag peacefully should not be treated as a crime.