New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and fellow leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released by a Delhi executive magistrate on Sunday, a day after police detained them at the airport ahead of a planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
The three leaders were released on the condition that they maintain peace and good behaviour for one year. Delhi Police said a surety bond of rs 50,000 was furnished as part of the release process. The development came as tensions continued over the CJP led demonstrations demanding accountability in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
According to Delhi Police, the trio were placed under preventive arrest on October 10 under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). They were produced before the executive magistrate at Delhi Cantonment on Sunday, following which they were released.
The leaders had arrived in the national capital from Mumbai when police personnel entered their aircraft after it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Videos of the detention circulated online, drawing attention to the police action ahead of the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP had called on young people to join the demonstration, alleging irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and raising concerns about the deletion and manipulation of voter names. These claims remain allegations and require independent verification.
The arrests followed a major security operation in Delhi on Saturday, when thousands of protesters were detained at multiple locations as authorities attempted to prevent demonstrators from gathering at Jantar Mantar. Several metro stations were shut and train services were disrupted amid heightened security arrangements. Most of those detained were subsequently released, according to media reports.
Police had denied permission for the proposed demonstration, citing the timing of the application and alleged violations during an earlier protest. Authorities maintained that their actions were intended to prevent law and order problems.
The controversy has also drawn political reactions. Opposition leaders have criticised restrictions on demonstrations, while BJP leaders have questioned the movement’s political backing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that citizens have the right to express dissent but should not promote anarchy.
The CJP has maintained that its campaign will continue until concerns surrounding the electoral roll revision are addressed. The latest arrests and subsequent release have intensified the debate over public order, electoral transparency and the right to peaceful assembly.
With the leaders now released, attention turns to the movement’s next steps and the authorities’ response to any further demonstrations.
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