New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder and National Convenor Abhijeet Dipke and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora were detained in New Delhi on 16 October as Delhi Police stepped up security to prevent a proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place’s Central Park. The protest was called to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Dipke was intercepted while walking alone towards Central Park after leaving the residence of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande. Bora and several AISA and Left party workers were detained during protests near Mandi House, where demonstrators demanded Kumar’s resignation.
Police deny permission for march
The march was scheduled for 5 pm, but Delhi Police had denied permission and restricted access to Central Park. Police spokesperson Neha Yadav said permission had not been granted, adding that the police were willing to facilitate a flag march involving a limited number of protesters at an alternative location.
Earlier on 16 October, Dipke addressed a press conference at Jhandewalan alongside CJP legal head Ratna Singh, where he said he expected police action against him.
“Tonight or tomorrow morning, the Delhi Police people can pick me up. If one has to go to jail for waving the Tricolour in this country, then we are ready for it,” Dipke said.
Questioning the restrictions around Central Park, he asked whether displaying the national flag had become a crime. He maintained that the campaign sought accountability in the electoral process and was not intended to remove the elected government.
“We believe in peace and non-violence, we are believers of Gandhi and non-violence. We are only asking for accountability,” he said.
CJP alleges surveillance, plans legal challenge
The CJP alleged that authorities had blocked access to the venue despite the party asking supporters to avoid large gatherings. It had urged people to take photographs with the national flag in small groups and disperse peacefully.
Dipke also alleged that party members were under surveillance, claiming that police and intelligence personnel were following him and other leaders. These claims were made by the party and were not independently established in the information provided.
Ratna Singh said the CJP’s legal team had completed the necessary procedures for the release of party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who had been taken into custody earlier. She alleged that the release process had been delayed and said the party would challenge the detentions and arrests in court.
The CJP has demanded Kumar’s removal and the appointment of an independent Chief Election Commissioner. The party alleges irregularities in the SIR exercise and changes to Form 6. These allegations have not been independently established.
The campaign follows the party’s 10 October protest call over alleged electoral irregularities and has since developed into a dispute with Delhi Police over permission to demonstrate and access to designated protest sites.
Security tightened across central Delhi
More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been mobilised across central Delhi. Barricades have been erected around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar and adjoining areas.
Additional CCTV cameras have been installed near Central Park and Rajiv Chowk. The New Delhi Municipal Council has ordered Central Park to remain closed on 16 and 17 October, citing administrative reasons.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita remain in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas.
Supreme Court declines urgent hearing
The Supreme Court on 16 October declined an urgent hearing on a plea challenging Central Park’s closure. The court expressed concern about the possible impact on small traders and indicated that it could intervene if businesses suffered losses.
The Delhi Traffic Police warned of possible traffic disruptions around Connaught Place and advised commuters to use public transport and follow police directions. The proposed march remained at the centre of the standoff between the CJP and the authorities over access to the protest venue.
