CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke Detained at IGI Airport Before Delhi Protest
Abhijeet Dipke, Ranka and Das detained ahead of Jantar Mantar protest as Delhi faces sweeping security restrictions and the Supreme Court questions transport curbs.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 10th Oct: Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ranka and Das aboard an aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) ahead of the party’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
The detentions came amid heightened security across the national capital, with authorities preparing for the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CJP has demanded his resignation, citing concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations of wrongful voter deletions.
Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration, citing the short notice given by the organisers. The decision triggered criticism from CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke, who accused the Centre of inconveniencing the public rather than allowing a peaceful protest at a designated site.
Delhi Under Tight Security
Security arrangements across the capital include the deployment of central armed police personnel and restrictions on public transport. According to reports, around 23,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel have been made available for law-and-order duties.
Forty-five Delhi Metro stations have faced entry and exit restrictions until 6 pm on Saturday. Train arrivals at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations have also been curtailed, while internet services have been suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing.
The restrictions have raised concerns over the inconvenience faced by commuters, students and other residents.
Criticising the arrangements, Dipke said the authorities were shutting down parts of the capital and inconveniencing millions of citizens instead of permitting a peaceful demonstration.
Supreme Court Questions Sweeping Restrictions
The security measures came under scrutiny after the Supreme Court on Friday cautioned the Centre and Delhi Police against imposing excessive restrictions in anticipation of a possible law-and-order problem.
The court observed that there could not be a complete prohibition on traffic movement, stoppage of trains or closure of metro stations merely because a potential disturbance was anticipated.
The remarks added a legal dimension to the growing debate over balancing the right to protest with public safety and the uninterrupted movement of citizens.
Opposition Escalates Electoral Reform Campaign
The planned CJP demonstration comes amid a wider Opposition campaign seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
INDIA bloc leaders met President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and submitted a memorandum raising allegations of electoral irregularities, including concerns about voter deletions during the SIR exercise.
After the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was surprised that the President had not rejected the Opposition’s allegations of “vote chori”. These remain allegations advanced by Opposition leaders.
The political confrontation has intensified as the Opposition presses for electoral reforms and accountability, while the authorities maintain heightened security in Delhi ahead of the Jantar Mantar demonstration.
