Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA president Neha Bora on Friday as they headed towards Connaught Place’s Central Park to participate in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest.
Dipke had announced the event a couple of days earlier to protest the arrests of CJP members Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. Police detained him shortly after he stepped out of the house where he was staying in Delhi.
Police Detain Dipke, Cite Preventive Action
In a video shared by the CJP, Dipke questioned the police action, saying he was alone and had not violated any law by stepping outside.
“Maine abhi violation kaise kiya hai? Main akela hoon (I am alone, how did I violate any order),” he said, asking the police to explain the alleged violation. He also pointed out that the other people present at the spot were members of the media.
Police personnel told Dipke that preventive action was being taken against him. They then escorted him into a police vehicle and drove away.
Police Had Asked CJP Founder To Call Off Protest
Earlier on Friday, Delhi Police issued a notice to Dipke, asking him not to hold the demonstration at Connaught Place. The police cited concerns over public safety, traffic movement and the rights of local citizens and traders.
A prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force in the area. Police warned that any violation could lead to action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other applicable laws.
The restrictions came as the CJP planned to hold its ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ event at Central Park. The police had also maintained that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site.
Neha Bora Also Detained Before March
AISA president Neha Bora was also detained shortly after Dipke. Bora, who uses they/them pronouns, has been a prominent face of the protest.
Before leaving for Connaught Place, Bora posted a video saying they were starting a march from Mandi House. The march was planned as part of the protest against the arrests of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
In a post on X, Bora wrote, “Jantar Mantar is not just a site that you can denotify, it’s a symbol of our resistance! Today, all of central Delhi has become Jantar Mantar!”
The protest call came amid objections from CJP members over the recent changes involving Jantar Mantar, which has traditionally served as a major site for demonstrations in the national capital.