Abhijeet Dipke detained: three Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders have reportedly been taken into custody in Delhi ahead of the party’s Jantar Mantar protest, while police and the party give differing accounts of the permission. The reports have not been independently confirmed and the positions of both sides are untested.
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New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, chief spokesperson Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have reportedly been detained in Delhi on Saturday (October 10), ahead of the party’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar, according to media reports. Further details regarding the circumstances of the detention are awaited [Reported detention of CJP leaders ahead of the October 10 Jantar Mantar protest].
The order that preceded the day
On Friday, the Supreme Court was hearing a plea against restrictions on Delhi trains, the Metro and internet services ahead of the protest. It recorded:
“We make it clear that there shall be no complete prohibition on movement of metro/trains.”
The Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana noted the Solicitor General’s assurance that the authorities would reconsider the restrictions. DMRC, the railway authorities and Delhi Police (Traffic) were directed to file compliance reports within four days. The Court expressed no view on the merits of the protest or the restrictions. Since then, a contempt petition has been filed alleging that Metro station closures violate that order; its allegations are untested and no order on it has been reported.
What is reported so far
According to media reports, police took the three into custody as they arrived in the capital. A post by CJP claims they were detained from inside their flight, but the reports do not make clear where exactly the detention took place. Whether they have since been released or booked has not been reported.
The protest was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and the BJP deny wrongdoing in the revision. Reports further say that other persons were detained in Delhi, with estimates ranging from about 200, citing a police source, to about 500, and that Delhi Metro stations were closed and trains cancelled.
Two sides, two accounts
Delhi Police Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad is reported to have said that the application for permission was received on October 7, too late under guidelines requiring applications at least 10 days in advance. Police have also cited alleged non-compliance with directions during an earlier CJP protest, public safety and traffic management, and have described the detentions as preventive. CJP representatives have rejected the restrictions, said peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, and demanded the release of those detained. These are the positions of the respective sides and have not been tested.
Case Details: Reported detention of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, chief spokesperson Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka in Delhi on October 10, 2026. Supreme Court order of October 9, 2026 passed by a Bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana. No legal proceedings concerning the detention have been reported. Story developing.
Appearances: Not applicable.