The CJP witnessed over 1,500 of its supporters detained across Delhi ahead of a planned protest
NEW DELHI: More than 1,500 people have been detained from several parts of Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as police intensified preventive measures across the national capital.CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and leader Saurav Das, who were detained by Delhi Police upon arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday, have been moved to different locations.Dipke was taken to Gurugram, Ranka to Dwarka, while Das was taken to another location in Delhi.
Over 1,500 detained as Delhi Police steps up security
The detentions come amid an extensive security operation ahead of the CJP’s planned ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ demonstration, which seeks Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Delhi Police had earlier denied permission for the protest, citing concerns over public safety, traffic management and law and order.Officials also pointed to the CJP’s application being submitted fewer than 10 days before the proposed demonstration and alleged non-compliance with conditions during an earlier agitation.
CJP leaders detained at airport, Dhruv Rathee picked up from home
Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained aboard their flight after landing in Delhi. A video shared by the party showed Dipke challenging the police to arrest him, questioning the grounds for the action and asking male officers to come forward as women personnel surrounded him.YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained from his Gurgaon residence ahead of the protest. CJP legal team head Ratna Singh and content creator Kavya Karnatac were also reported detained earlier on Saturday.
Delhi under security blanket ahead of Jantar Mantar protest
Delhi Police had planned to deploy around 35,000 personnel from the force and paramilitary units, with checkpoints and barricades set up across the capital. Mobile internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi, while entry and exit at several Metro stations were restricted.More than 250 train services, including 179 local trains and over 75 long-distance mail and express trains, were also cancelled or affected amid concerns over traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.The CJP has maintained that it intends to continue its campaign for free and fair elections and is demanding the scrapping of the SIR exercise and the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner.
