Tensions between the Delhi Police and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) escalated on Friday ahead of the party’s planned “Lehra Do Tiranga” march. Over a dozen police personnel, including women officers, reached the Jhandewalan residence in Central Delhi where CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has been staying. The police action followed hours after Dipke publicly expressed apprehension that authorities might detain him ahead of the proposed demonstration at Central Park in Connaught Place.
Visuals emerging from the location showed Dipke sitting in silent protest with the national flag draped over his shoulders, flanked by police officers. Another video clip showed him signing official documents, purportedly related to undertaking a peace bond. Sources indicated that the police served him a notice under Section 29 of the Delhi Police Act.
Under this provision, police authorities are empowered to issue directives to preserve public peace and maintain order, though the section does not mandate an unconditional, blanket ban on protests. As of now, the Delhi Police have not officially confirmed whether Dipke has been placed under preventive detention or house arrest.
The heightened security vigil comes in response to CJP’s call urging citizens to assemble at Central Park at 5:00 PM carrying the tricolor. The demonstration forms part of the outfit’s ongoing campaign alleging irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning and demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Earlier, two key party leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were arrested and remanded to five days of judicial custody after scaling the boundary gate at Jantar Mantar while holding the tricolor.
Dipke, who arrived in Delhi from Mumbai on Thursday, had alleged during a press conference that unmarked vehicles without registration plates were tailing him. He asserted that he is ready to face imprisonment for waving the national flag, declaring that he will not back down if holding the tricolor is treated as an offense.
