Delhi police detain 200; CJP’s Ratna Singh included

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday accused PM Narendra Modi of having “accepted defeat” even before the party’s planned protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar began, while Delhi Police detained around 200 protestors who were attempting to reach Jantar Mantar.

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained by Delhi Police from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, PTI reported, citing sources.

Ratna Singh, CJP’s legal head, also alleged that she had been illegally detained by police. “They came to my house in the morning, and they were told that I’m not here. I have been illegally detained in the car only, and I’ve been here since,” she said.

Police have also detained more than 600 people with criminal records across Delhi’s 15 districts as part of preventive measures ahead of the proposed demonstration, PTI reported.

Delhi has tightened security ahead of the protest, with entry and exit suspended at 45 Metro stations, multiple train cancellations and intensified checks at border points.

Police have deployed drones to monitor movement, body cameras to record encounters and additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force and CRPF, while the RAF has conducted a flag march from Mandi House. Authorities have denied permission for the demonstration and imposed prohibitory orders in New Delhi.

In a post on X shortly before boarding his flight from Mumbai, Dipke said the shutdown of parts of the capital and the crackdown on supporters were “not signs of strength”, but reflected a leader terrified of his own people.

Speaking at Mumbai airport, to reporters, he also accused the government of being “scared” amid heightened security arrangements and train cancellations in Delhi.

Dipke left the Four Seasons Hotel in Worli for Mumbai airport at around 6.50 am and was expected to reach Delhi by 10 am, a CJP functionary has said.

The party has called the protest to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and changes relating to Form 6, which is used for voter registration.

Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.