New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released after spending hours in detention ahead of the party’s planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
The three leaders were produced before a magistrate at 9 am on Sunday and subsequently released. They had been detained under preventive provisions cited by the authorities. Delhi Police had earlier said that no formal arrest had been made.
Their release came hours after YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also freed from detention. Rathee, who was taken into custody from his Gurugram residence ahead of Saturday’s planned demonstration, was released at around 3 am on Sunday.
Why Were CJP Leaders Detained Ahead Of The Jantar Mantar Protest?
The three CJP leaders were detained after arriving in Delhi on Saturday, ahead of the party’s proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
The protest was called over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, including concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The party has also sought action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police had denied permission for the planned demonstration, citing law-and-order and public safety concerns. Authorities took preventive measures ahead of the protest amid heightened security in the national capital.
When Was Dhruv Rathee Released From Detention?
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was released at around 3 am on Sunday after being detained from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, on Saturday morning.
His detention came ahead of the CJP protest in Delhi. Police had reportedly urged him not to travel to the national capital for the demonstration, which had not received permission.
Rathee’s release preceded that of the three CJP leaders, who were produced before a magistrate on Sunday morning.
Were The CJP Leaders Formally Arrested?
Delhi Police had said that no formal arrest had been made in the case. The leaders were detained under preventive provisions, and their release followed their production before a magistrate.
The distinction is important: detention under preventive provisions is not the same as a formal arrest followed by prosecution on specific criminal charges.
The developments come amid continuing tensions over the proposed protest and allegations concerning electoral roll revisions. The claims of irregularities remain allegations and should be distinguished from any findings by the authorities.
