New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday alleged that he was detained and assaulted by the Delhi Police during a dramatic turn of events at Jantar Mantar, where activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital after his prolonged hunger strike.
Sharing his account on the social media platform X, Dipke claimed that police personnel forcibly removed protesters from the demonstration site and detained him amid the operation.
“I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police,” Dipke wrote, alleging that authorities used force while clearing the protest venue. According to him, several demonstrators were also taken into custody during the action.
Dipke further accused the police of attempting to dismantle what he described as a peaceful agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party. The protest, underway since June 20, seeks the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, along with demands for a judicial investigation and broader reforms in the examination system.
Earlier in the day, Dipke had also claimed that unidentified individuals attempted to disrupt the protest and allegedly targeted Sonam Wangchuk. He asserted that an object was thrown towards the activist, though Wangchuk was not injured in the incident.
The activist-politician alleged that he had previously received information suggesting attempts would be made to disturb the ongoing protest. He also accused the police of failing to intervene despite repeated disturbances at the venue.
Dipke maintained that if any harm came to Wangchuk, responsibility would rest with the authorities, alleging that the protest was being deliberately weakened through intimidation and disruption.
The developments came shortly after Delhi Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital, citing his deteriorating health following nearly three weeks of fasting. Police said the decision was taken in compliance with court directions and based on medical advice after his condition worsened.
Wangchuk had joined the protest on June 28 and has remained on an indefinite hunger strike in support of the campaign demanding accountability over the NEET controversy. The removal of the activist from Jantar Mantar triggered protests among supporters, with Dipke emerging as the principal voice accusing the administration of suppressing the movement.
Delhi Police has maintained that Wangchuk was moved solely for medical treatment and appealed to protesters to vacate the site peacefully. Meanwhile, tensions surrounding the protest continue as supporters question the police action and demand greater transparency over the handling of the demonstration.
