Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora Detained As Police Disperse Thousands At CJP Protest In Delhi

Heavy police deployment and the detention of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke ensured that the outfit’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in Connaught Place ended relatively peacefully on Friday evening, unlike the July 20 protest when demonstrators clashed with police while marching towards Parliament.

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was among those detained as protesters attempted to march towards Central Park. An estimated 2,000 people gathered in and around Connaught Place following the CJP’s call, with many carrying the national flag. The party is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

By 7 pm, police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel had dispersed the crowd following a massive deployment across Central Delhi.

Abhijeet Dipke Detained In Karol Bagh

Dipke, who was staying at the Karol Bagh residence of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande, was served a notice by a Delhi Police team prohibiting him from holding the march without obtaining lawful permission.

The notice stated that the police action was being taken in compliance with Delhi High Court directions. It cited concerns over traders’ livelihoods and public movement in the area, noting that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site. It also said demonstrators could use other authorised venues, subject to obtaining the necessary permission.

When Dipke stepped out of the Karol Bagh residence at around 4.50 pm, police detained him.

“I am alone. Why are you stopping me?” he asked before taking out and unfurling the Tricolour. Police personnel subsequently pushed him into a police van and took him away.

According to police sources, Dipke was taken to Jaffarpur Kalan police station in southwest Delhi, where he could be placed under preventive detention for 24 hours.

Dipke arrived in Delhi on Wednesday after two senior CJP members, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, were arrested and sent to Tihar Jail. They were accused of breaching security and entering Jantar Mantar on Monday.

Over 25,000 Personnel Deployed Across New Delhi

Even before Dipke’s detention, crowds had begun assembling near Central Park. They encountered a heavy presence of Delhi Police and CAPF personnel, as well as opposition from local traders in Palika Bazar.

Some traders raised slogans against the protesters, alleging that the demonstration was disrupting their businesses.

More than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the New Delhi district and surrounding areas. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) also announced that Central Park would remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday for “administrative reasons”.

Several shops and restaurants in Connaught Place remained shut during the day. Rapid Action Force personnel and Delhi Police officers were stationed near the park, while Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel patrolled the inner circle.

Buses designated for detaining protesters were lined up along Central Park well before the demonstrations intensified.

Student Groups Hold Flash Protests

AISA president Neha Bora called for a flash protest at Mandi House in Central Delhi around 5 pm. She began marching with her supporters at approximately 5.20 pm but was detained shortly afterwards.

Another flash protest was organised around 6 pm on Firozeshah Road by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and other Left student organisations. The group, which was joined by MP John Brittas, marched towards Connaught Place.

Police subsequently began dispersing demonstrators from Central Park, bringing the evening’s protests to a close amid tight security.

The demonstrations followed a series of confrontations between CJP members and authorities over access to protest sites in the national capital, with the party continuing its campaign demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.