Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), along with Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, was reportedly taken into custody by police at the airport ahead of the planned protest in Delhi on October 10, CJP claims.
The three were detained as they arrived in the national capital for the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, which was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Police Detain Protesters Amid Tight Security
Delhi witnessed heightened security arrangements ahead of the proposed demonstration, with police personnel deployed across the capital and checkpoints established to restrict the movement of protesters. According to Reuters, around 200 protesters were detained in Delhi, citing a police source. Ratna Singh claimed that she was detained along with three other lawyers ahead of the protest.
She alleged that more than 25 police personnel had surrounded the car she was travelling in without disclosing the grounds for her detention. Singh also claimed that police personnel had visited her residence earlier in the morning but did not produce an official notification when asked. Separately, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained in Gurugram ahead of the demonstration, according to reports citing police officials. In Madhya Pradesh, at least 30 protesters travelling to Delhi were also detained after being intercepted at railway stations, including Bhopal, Itarsi and Gwalior.
A senior police officer told The Indian Express that those detained were being counselled and asked to return to their home states. The developments came as authorities sought to prevent protesters from reaching the national capital for the planned gathering.
Why CJP Called The Protest
The CJP had called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, seeking accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. The agitation was also supported by student groups and opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party and Left organisations. The controversy intensified following reports that the electoral roll revision process had led to the removal of a substantial number of voters.
Opposition parties and activists have raised concerns over the exercise, alleging that it could affect eligible voters and electoral fairness. The Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party have denied allegations of wrongdoing linked to voter-list revisions. Delhi Police Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said the application seeking permission for the October 10 protest had been received on October 7, leaving insufficient time under the prescribed guidelines, which require applications at least 10 days before a planned demonstration.
Police also cited alleged non-compliance with directions and undertakings during an earlier CJP protest, alongside concerns about public safety and traffic management. CJP representatives rejected the restrictions and maintained that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right. The police maintained that the restrictions were necessary to regulate movement and prevent overcrowding.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to peaceful protest is an essential part of a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to question institutions, demand accountability and raise concerns about public policy. At the same time, authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order and ensure the safety of protesters and other citizens. These responsibilities must be exercised proportionately, transparently and in accordance with the law. When people are detained ahead of a planned demonstration, clear communication about the grounds for detention and access to due legal process become particularly important.
Disagreements over electoral processes should also be addressed through credible information, transparent procedures and constructive dialogue rather than escalating tensions. Protecting democratic freedoms and maintaining public safety need not be opposing goals. How can authorities and citizens work together to protect the right to peaceful dissent while ensuring public order and accountability?
🚨 ABHIJEET DIPKE, SAURAV DAS AND ASHUTOSH RANKA DETAINED FROM INSIDE THEIR FLIGHT 🚨 Shame on you @narendramodi @AmitShah https://t.co/hXl6bzh53i
— Cockroach Janta Party – CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
