Three leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party were released after appearing before an executive magistrate in Delhi, following preventive arrests ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar. The release came as Delhi Police increased security across the capital and prepared for another demonstration over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.
According to Delhi Police, Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were detained and subsequently arrested under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The provisions were used as preventive measures relating to maintaining peace and preventing cognisable offences, the report said.
The three leaders were produced before the executive magistrate at the SEM Court in Delhi Cantonment. They were released after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond for maintaining peace and good behaviour for one year. The police said the required legal procedures had been followed before the release order was issued.
The arrests took place before a protest planned at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Delhi Police had detained the three CJP leaders at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday, according to the report. The action was taken under preventive provisions after authorities anticipated an attempt to reach the protest venue.
Police also detained more than 7,000 protesters at different locations in Delhi, preventing them from reaching Jantar Mantar, the report said. Several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to join the demonstration.
The episode has affected the movement of people across central Delhi, where Jantar Mantar is a designated site for political demonstrations but is also connected to major roads, government offices and public transport routes. Restrictions and detentions at multiple locations can alter traffic flows well beyond the protest venue, particularly when large groups are prevented from assembling at the notified site.
The CJP and opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The report does not provide the Election Commission’s response to those allegations.
Delhi Police has announced heightened security for the fresh protest call at Jantar Mantar. More than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel have reportedly been deployed across the city. The heightened presence is intended to manage crowds, prevent unauthorised movement towards the protest site and maintain public order as demonstrators attempt to assemble again.
The immediate administrative challenge is to balance preventive policing with the operation of roads and public spaces around Jantar Mantar. The next significant development will be the authorities’ handling of the renewed protest and the associated traffic and security arrangements.
