New Delhi, Oct 13: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, with party founder Abhijeet Dipke claiming that several other team members, including Ajinkya Shinde, were also taken into custody.
In a post on X, Dipke said the detentions would not stop the resistance, declaring, “You cannot de-notify the resistance.” He tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the post.
“Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police,” Dipke said, adding that Ranka, Das, Shinde and other team members had been detained.
Dipke also shared a video purportedly showing CJP members jumping over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar and raising slogans, including “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. Police personnel are seen approaching the group and taking hold of the members.
Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a designated protest site. The Centre’s decision was implemented through a standing order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, following recommendations from a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Three alternative venues have been designated for protests: Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground in north Delhi, and CBD Ground in east Delhi.
The detentions come amid heightened security in the national capital following calls by various organisations for protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police have deployed additional personnel at several locations across the city as authorities seek to maintain law and order amid the planned demonstrations.
