More than 1,500 people were detained across Delhi ahead of a proposed Cockroach Janta Party demonstration on Saturday, while stone pelting near Akashwani Bhawan injured two police personnel and intensified a security operation across the capital, according to a Times of India report.
The demonstration, described by organisers as ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’, was planned to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had denied permission for the protest, citing public safety, traffic management and law-and-order concerns.
Police deployed personnel at several locations, erected barricades and increased checks at entry points ahead of the proposed gathering. Several protesters were detained as security forces moved to control the situation after stone pelting was reported near Akashwani Bhawan.
Sub-inspector Bajrang Jadhav was among the police personnel reported injured. Asked how he sustained his injuries, Jadhav said he was pushed while apprehending what he described as rioters, causing an injury. The report did not provide details of the number of protesters injured or the specific charges, if any, filed against those detained.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenor Saurav Das and party leader Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving in Delhi, according to the report. A video from a Delhi-bound flight showed Dipke challenging police personnel to arrest him and questioning the grounds for his detention. In the video, he said the leaders had come to Delhi expecting to be arrested and described the police action as “dictatorship”.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained at his residence in Gurgaon ahead of the proposed demonstration, the report said. The account did not specify the legal basis for his detention or whether he was later released.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar commented on the police action in a post on X, saying that peaceful protests were a democratic activity. His remarks came as security arrangements expanded across the capital before the planned event.
The CJP has alleged voter-list manipulation and has demanded accountability over the electoral-roll revision exercise. The party has said it will continue its campaign for what it describes as free and fair elections. The report did not include a response from the Election Commission to those allegations.
The immediate administrative focus remains on managing public order, movement and access around the proposed protest area. Further developments are expected to depend on police action against those detained and on whether the organisers attempt to proceed with the demonstration despite the denial of permission.
