New Delhi, October 2026 Around 200 people were detained by Delhi Police from Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas on Saturday as they gathered for a proposed protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, officials said.
The detentions came amid heightened security across the national capital, with police deploying additional personnel and intensifying checks ahead of the demonstration.
Earlier in the day, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport upon arriving in Delhi ahead of the protest.
According to videos shared by Dipke on social media, Delhi Police personnel entered the aircraft after it landed and detained him along with the other CJP members.
In one video, Dipke was heard telling the police, “...I have come here to be arrested; arrest me.”
The CJP subsequently announced the detentions through a post on its social media account, stating: “Abhijeet Dipke DETAINED! Saurav Das DETAINED! Ashutosh Ranka DETAINED!”
Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also reportedly detained from his residence in Gurugram earlier in the morning. According to a post on the CJP’s X account, around 50 police personnel in plain clothes arrived at his residence at approximately 8 a.m. and took him into custody. Rathee had been expected to participate in the proposed demonstration.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police remained on high alert, with security arrangements strengthened across sensitive locations in the capital. Vehicles were being checked at Delhi’s borders to prevent unauthorised persons from entering New Delhi.
Police personnel were equipped with body cameras to record any untoward incidents during the proposed protest. Security was also reinforced around the residences of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Drone surveillance was being conducted at key locations to monitor movements and assess the security situation. Several Metro stations, including Supreme Court and Mandi House, were reported closed as part of the security measures.
At New Delhi Railway Station, Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed across the premises. Security marches were conducted, while drones were used to monitor activity and maintain vigilance.
The extensive arrangements were aimed at preventing any disruption and maintaining law and order as police prepared for the CJP-led demonstration.
Further details regarding the grounds for the detentions and whether those taken into custody would be released or produced before a court were not immediately available.
