Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained by Delhi Police on October 16 while he was on his way to participate in the party’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place. Police had earlier served him a notice prohibiting the proposed gathering, citing restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), lack of permission and concerns over public movement and safety.
Dipke was subsequently arrested after police invoked Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS and is scheduled to be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court on October 17. Meanwhile, AISA president Neha Bora, who was also detained ahead of the protest, has been released.
Police Cite Public Order
The detention followed a notice delivered to Dipke’s residence by Delhi Police hours before the planned march. The notice said the proposed gathering at Central Park, Connaught Place, had not received the required permission and could affect the movement of commuters, traders and other citizens. Police also pointed to prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS and warned that violating the restrictions could invite further legal action.
Dipke was detained shortly after leaving the house where he was staying in central Delhi. In a video from the incident, he questioned the police action, asking how he had violated any restriction when he was alone. Police officers told him that preventive action was being taken, after which he was taken away. Delhi Police later initiated action under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS, provisions relating to maintaining peace and preventing the commission of cognisable offences.
The police action also extended to other protesters. AISA president Neha Bora was detained ahead of the march but released early on October 17 after formalities under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act were completed. Bora later criticised the detention, questioning the legal basis for keeping people in custody overnight and alleging that access to legal counsel was delayed.
Protest Follows Earlier Detentions
The ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march was organised against the backdrop of continuing CJP-led protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The movement has also opposed the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Dipke had called the October 16 march after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained earlier in the week.
The latest confrontation is part of a wider escalation between protesters and authorities in Delhi this month. Earlier, Dipke and other CJP leaders were detained on October 10 when they arrived in the capital for another protest.
They were later released on conditions linked to maintaining peace and good behaviour. Police have argued that restrictions are necessary to prevent disruption and maintain public order, while the protesters have maintained that their demonstrations are peaceful and aimed at raising concerns about electoral processes.
Despite the restrictions and a heavy security deployment, protesters gathered in and around Connaught Place on October 16, with police detaining several people as the demonstration was dispersed. The latest detention of Dipke now shifts the immediate focus to the SEM court, where authorities are expected to present their case for the preventive action.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Peaceful protest and public order need not be opposing ideas. Authorities have a responsibility to protect commuters, businesses and public safety, but restrictions on demonstrations must also be transparent, proportionate and subject to due process. Similarly, protesters have a responsibility to respect lawful restrictions and ensure that their message does not put ordinary citizens at risk.
In a democracy, disagreements over elections, institutions and government decisions are best addressed through dialogue, evidence and peaceful civic participation rather than confrontation. How can authorities and protesters find common ground that protects both public order and the right to peaceful dissent?
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