CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, AISA president Neha Bora detained amid 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest
Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder and National Convenor Abhijeet Dipke and All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora were detained today as Delhi Police intensified security measures to prevent the proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march at Connaught Place's Central Park, called to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Dipke was intercepted while walking alone towards Central Park after leaving the residence of NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande. The march was scheduled for 5 pm, but police had denied permission and restricted access to the venue. Bora and several AISA and Left party workers were also detained during protests near Mandi House demanding Kumar's resignation. The detentions came hours after Dipke, addressing a press conference at Jhandewalan alongside CJP legal head Ratna Singh, said he anticipated police action against him.
"Tonight or tomorrow morning, the Delhi Police people can pick me up. If one has to go to jail for waving the Tricolour in this country, then we are ready for it," he had said. Questioning the restrictions imposed around Central Park, Dipke asked whether displaying the national flag had become a crime. He maintained that the campaign sought accountability in the electoral process and was not aimed at removing the elected government.
"We believe in peace and non-violence, we are believers of Gandhi and non-violence. We are only asking for accountability," he said. The CJP alleged that authorities had blocked access to the venue despite the party appealing to supporters to avoid large gatherings, take photographs with the national flag in small groups and disperse peacefully.
Dipke also alleged that party members were under surveillance and claimed that police and intelligence personnel were following him and other leaders. Singh said the party's legal team had completed the necessary procedures for the release of CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were earlier taken into custody, but alleged that the process had been delayed. She said the party would challenge the detentions and arrests in court.
The CJP has demanded Kumar's removal and the appointment of an independent Chief Election Commissioner, alleging irregularities in the SIR exercise and changes to Form 6. These allegations have not been independently established. The 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march followed the party's October 10 protest call against the alleged electoral irregularities. The campaign has since escalated into a standoff with Delhi Police over permission to demonstrate and access to designated protest sites.
More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been mobilised across central Delhi. Barricades have been erected around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar and adjoining areas, while additional CCTV cameras have been installed near Central Park and Rajiv Chowk. The New Delhi Municipal Council has ordered Central Park to remain closed on October 16 and 17, citing administrative reasons. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita remain in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. Delhi Police spokesperson Neha Yadav said permission for the march had not been granted, but police were willing to facilitate a flag march by a limited number of protesters at an alternative location.
The Supreme Court today declined an urgent hearing on a plea challenging the park's closure, expressing concern over the possible impact on small traders and indicating that it could intervene if businesses suffered losses. The Delhi Traffic Police warned of possible traffic disruptions around Connaught Place and advised commuters to use public transport and follow police directions.
UNI PWS SS
