MAGISTRATE FREES THREE CJP LEADERS UNDER YEAR-LONG PEACE CONDITION AS DELHI’S PROTEST CRISIS CONTINUES
October 11, 2026
A Delhi Executive Magistrate on Sunday ordered the release of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who had been placed under preventive arrest ahead of the organisation’s planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Their release came with a condition that they must not breach the peace for one year, according to CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh.
The three leaders had been detained by Delhi Police at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday after their flight landed in the national capital. They were travelling to participate in the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, where the CJP intended to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Police invoked Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) against the leaders. These provisions concern security for keeping the peace and preventive arrest to stop the commission of cognisable offences. The leaders were subsequently produced before the Executive Magistrate on Sunday, following which their release was confirmed by Singh.
Their detention came amid an extensive security operation in Delhi, where thousands of people were detained at multiple locations on Saturday as authorities attempted to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar. Several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to join the protest. Many of those detained were released later that night.
The CJP has continued to call for demonstrations despite the police restrictions. Its campaign centres on allegations that the electoral-roll revision process has involved irregularities affecting voters’ rights. Opposition parties have joined the demand for accountability from the Election Commission, while the BJP and the poll authorities have rejected allegations of deliberate electoral manipulation.
Security remained heightened across Delhi on Sunday, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel expected to be deployed as the CJP renewed its call for a protest. Authorities strengthened surveillance at borders, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and other locations, while police monitored social media activity for attempts to mobilise demonstrators.
Delhi Traffic Police also issued an advisory warning of possible disruptions in central Delhi, particularly around Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Mandi House and Patel Chowk. Commuters travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport were advised to allow additional time for their journeys and avoid non-essential travel.
The Supreme Court had previously directed the Centre to ensure that Metro services were not completely halted ahead of the demonstration, stressing the need to balance security arrangements with the public’s access to essential transport.
The release of the three CJP leaders marks a development in the continuing confrontation over the proposed protest, but it has not resolved the wider dispute. With the organisation continuing its mobilisation and security restrictions remaining in force, the debate over electoral transparency, preventive detention and the right to peaceful assembly continues to dominate the political situation in the capital.
