CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar Amid Detention of Top Leaders

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) pressed ahead with its planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday despite the detention of its founder Abhijeet Dipke and party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at the airport.

The party said its organisation in-charge, Ajinkya Shinde, would lead the demonstration until the detained leaders are released. In a pre-recorded video released after his detention, Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of suppressing public participation and avoiding accountability over demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, citing potential law-and-order concerns and traffic disruptions. Security was tightened across central Delhi, with barricades, identity checks and traffic diversions affecting areas around Connaught Place, Mandi House and Jantar Mantar.Police said the organisers had not submitted a valid application in accordance with the prescribed procedure, which requires at least 10 days’ advance notice for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. Authorities also cited previous violations of protest conditions.

Despite the detentions and security restrictions, the CJP said its protest would continue under Shinde’s leadership.