New Delhi, Oct 11: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das have been placed under preventive arrest by Delhi Police ahead of the party’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar. They are scheduled to be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station on Sunday, a senior police officer said.
According to police sources, the three leaders were detained shortly after their flight landed in the national capital on Saturday. Their detention came amid tight security arrangements across Delhi to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Sections 126 and 170 of BNSS Invoked
Police have invoked Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) against the CJP leaders. Section 126 deals with security for keeping the peace, while Section 170 provides for arrest to prevent the commission of cognisable offences, according to sources.
CJP Legal Affairs Head Ratna Singh confirmed the preventive arrests in a post on X. She said the three leaders would be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM on Sunday.
Singh added that a Delhi Police official had informed her about the development in the morning. She also said she would visit the police station with other lawyers to represent the detained leaders.
Over 7,000 Protesters Detained Across Delhi
The arrests took place amid an extensive security operation across the national capital. Police sources said more than 7,000 protesters were detained at different locations on Saturday, preventing them from reaching Jantar Mantar for the planned demonstration.
Several opposition leaders were also detained while attempting to participate in the protest. They included former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar.
Delhi Police intensified security arrangements to prevent unauthorised gatherings and maintain law and order during the demonstrations.
CJP Calls for Another Protest on Sunday
Despite Saturday’s detentions, the Cockroach Janata Party has renewed its call for a protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. Police are continuing security preparations, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel expected to be deployed across the city, according to the report.
The CJP and opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The opposition has raised concerns about the voter-list revision process and is seeking accountability from the Election Commission. The planned demonstrations have intensified the political confrontation over electoral transparency and the preparation of voter lists.
The situation in Delhi remains tense as police continue security operations ahead of the proposed Sunday protest.
