Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was placed under preventive detention by Delhi Police on October 16, ahead of the party’s planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place. A police official told Dipke that he was being detained, citing Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which prohibits certain gatherings in the area.
The proposed march was called to protest the detention of CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The detention came amid heightened security arrangements and the closure of Central Park to the public on October 16 and 17.
Police Cite Preventive Measures
In a video showing Dipke leaving the residence of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande, a police official is heard telling him, “We are placing you under preventive detention. Section 163 is in force in Connaught Place. You are being detained.” The action came after Delhi Police had issued a notice warning Dipke against holding the proposed march without permission from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Police maintained that displaying the national flag was not prohibited, but organising an unauthorised gathering in an area under prohibitory orders could invite legal action.
Dipke had maintained that the proposed demonstration was peaceful and that citizens had a democratic right to raise questions about public institutions. The detention took place as authorities stepped up security around Connaught Place ahead of the planned gathering.
Earlier Detentions Prompt March
The proposed march followed the detention of 14 CJP members on October 13, including party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, after they allegedly crossed barricades and entered Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site. The group reportedly unfurled the national flag and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police alleged that the members had violated legal undertakings and obstructed officers on duty. On October 14, Ranka and Das were remanded to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail, while CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde was released after signing a peace bond. In response, Dipke announced the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park, seeking to highlight the detentions and reiterate the party’s demands over electoral roll revisions.
The Delhi High Court declined to stop the proposed protest, while authorities cited public order and the potential disruption to local businesses as concerns. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has maintained that the electoral roll revision process is impartial and that eligible voters whose names have been removed can seek re-enrolment.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Peaceful protest and the right to question public institutions are important parts of a functioning democracy. At the same time, authorities have a responsibility to maintain public safety and minimise disruption to residents, commuters and local businesses.
Preventive detention and restrictions on public gatherings should be exercised within the law, with transparency about their legal basis and duration. Disagreements over electoral processes must be addressed through clear communication, accountability and democratic dialogue rather than escalating tensions between citizens and authorities. The national flag represents a shared identity that transcends political differences. How can authorities and protesters work together to protect both public order and citizens’ right to peaceful dissent?
#WATCH | Delhi | As CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke leaves from the residence of NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande, a police official says, "We are placing you under preventive detention. Section 163 is in force in Connaught Place. You are being detained…" CJP has called for ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest at Central Park in Connaught Place today.
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2026
