Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke detained by Delhi Police ahead of Tiranga rally

The Detention

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday while he was heading to Connaught Place for a planned political gathering. The police action occurred as Dipke stepped outside a residence in New Delhi where he was staying, which a party spokesperson confirmed happened right at the exit point. According to The Hindu, Dipke was staying at the home of NCP-SP spokesperson Anish Gawande when officers took him into custody.

Reasons And Prohibitory Orders

Authorities had earlier urged the party to call off the event, pointing to potential traffic disruptions, safety concerns, and trouble for commuters and local traders. When officers confronted Dipke, they informed him that he faced preventive detention because Section 163 orders were active across Connaught Place. The New Delhi Municipal Council also ordered Central Park closed to the public through Friday and Saturday, while police vehicles blocked roads leading to the park.

Demands And Protests

The political group had organized the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march to press for the release of detained members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody in Tihar Jail on October 14 after allegedly breaching barricades at Jantar Mantar after authorities denotified that protest site. In addition to demanding their release, the march called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged electoral irregularities. To bypass restrictions, the party had urged supporters to travel to Connaught Place in small groups of fewer than five people, pose with a national flag, and upload photos online after leaving.

Context

Delhi Police frequently use preventive detention powers under Section 163 to manage public gatherings and maintain law and order during tense political demonstrations. Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar serve as central hubs for public protests in the capital, making them frequent flashpoints between activist groups and law enforcement. Similar restrictions and police pushback against unauthorized political marches are common across major Indian metropolitan areas during disputes over public assembly sites.