CJP Chief Abhijeet Dipke Detained Ahead of March, Neha Bora Picked Up Near Jantar Mantar

CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Detained Ahead of ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ March in Delhi; Neha Bora Held Near Jantar Mantar

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained from his residence on Friday, just minutes before he was scheduled to lead a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi.

This marks the second time Dipke has been detained within a week. Earlier, Delhi Police detained him shortly after his flight from Mumbai landed in the capital, as he was travelling to participate in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The proposed march was also linked to the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Both were sent to five-day judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar with the national flag on October 13, a day after the designated protest site was denotified.

Police Serve Notice Ahead of Rally

Before detaining Dipke, Delhi Police personnel visited his residence and served him a notice prohibiting the proposed march. The notice was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers authorities to impose restrictions to prevent potential disturbances.

According to the notice, prohibitory orders were in force in the Connaught Place area, a major commercial centre in the national capital. It also stated that the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) had not granted permission for the proposed Tiranga Yatra. Police warned that proceeding with the march despite the restrictions could invite legal action.

During his interaction with the police, Dipke was told, “Aap New Delhi nahi jaa sakte. Hum aapko detain kar rahe hain” (You cannot go to New Delhi. We are detaining you).

Dipke questioned the action, responding, “New Delhi nahi jaa sakta, kahin aur toh jaa sakta hoon. Maine kaunsa kanoon toda hai?” (I cannot go to New Delhi, but I can go somewhere else. What law have I broken?).

Dipke Questions Grounds for Detention

Wearing a white T-shirt featuring Mahatma Gandhi and blue jeans, the 31-year-old CJP founder was seen with a small national flag draped over his shoulders while seated in his living room.

Police reportedly clarified that carrying or waving the national flag was not prohibited in itself. However, they maintained that organising an unauthorised procession or assembling a crowd in violation of the prevailing restrictions could lead to legal action. Dipke was also reminded of the obligations under the Flag Code of India to treat the national flag with due respect.

In a video showing the interaction, Dipke can be heard questioning the allegations against him, asking, “Kya aarop laga diya hai aapne mere upar?” (What kind of accusation have you levelled against me?).

Several documents were visible on a glass-top table as he examined the papers and read portions of the notice while confronting the police personnel.

Student Leader Neha Bora Detained Near Jantar Mantar

Student leader Neha Bora, 29, was also detained near Jantar Mantar amid a wider police crackdown on attempts by protesters associated with the Cockroach youth movement to demonstrate in Delhi.

The detentions came as authorities moved to prevent gatherings linked to the movement and its campaign over electoral-roll revision and restrictions on protests at designated sites.

The CJP had planned the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march against the backdrop of the recent arrests of its members and the restrictions imposed on demonstrations in the capital. The latest police action has brought renewed attention to the dispute over protest permissions, public-order restrictions and the right to assemble peacefully.