Maharashtra Police notices CJP volunteers ahead of October 10 Delhi protest
Maharashtra Police have issued preventive notices to Cockroach Janta Party volunteers ahead of the group’s proposed protest in New Delhi on October 10.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged on Tuesday that volunteers were being pressured not to attend the protest. He also questioned why police had sought details about their travel expenses.
The CJP has called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The group has linked its demand to alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.
Notice asks volunteer to avoid protest
A notice shared by Dipke on X was issued by Ballarpur Police Station in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district on October 5. It was addressed to Muyar Premanand Malkhede, a resident of Ballarpur.
The notice was issued under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. It said police had learnt that Malkhede planned to travel to Delhi to support Dipke during the proposed march.
Police asked why he intended to participate, who was providing financial support and what his objective was. The notice directed him not to join the CJP protest or participate in any demonstration without permission.
It also warned him against associating with violent protesters, publishing inflammatory social media posts and delivering provocative speeches. The notice asked him to follow police directions and avoid actions that could disturb public order.
The document referred to prohibitory orders under Section 37(1)(3) of the Maharashtra Police Act in Chandrapur district. It warned that violations could result in preventive or criminal action.
Dipke alleges intimidation
Dipke alleged during a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar that several CJP volunteers had received similar notices. He described the police action as an attempt to prevent participation in the protest.
“Maharashtra Police is sending notices to CJP volunteers asking for their Delhi travel expenses and threatening that the protest could turn violent,” he wrote on X.
Dipke questioned how the police could predict violence during the demonstration. He said the CJP’s planned protest would follow the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar.
Police call notices routine
Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopany told The Indian Express that issuing such notices before protests or events was routine.
Nopany said police wanted to caution people against violence and provocative speeches. He said protesters would need permission from the relevant police station in Delhi, not from the Chandrapur police.
The notices were preventive and were not directed specifically against CJP protesters, Nopany told the newspaper.
The CJP announced the Delhi protest after a demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2. The planned protest is scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
(With inputs from PTI)
