New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke has been granted bail in Delhi, subject to conditions that include signing a peace bond, Delhi Police said on Saturday, October 17. Dipke had been detained a day earlier, ahead of the party’s planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally at Central Park in Connaught Place.
According to the police, Dipke will be released after completing the peace bond formalities. His detention had triggered a legal challenge from CJP, whose legal affairs head, Ratna Singh, questioned the legality of the action and called for his immediate release.
The development comes amid demonstrations against the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Why Was Abhijeet Dipke Detained?
Delhi Police detained Dipke on Friday to prevent him from leading the scheduled ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally at Central Park in Connaught Place. The action came as authorities enforced prohibitory orders restricting public gatherings in Central Delhi.
Police had invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers authorities to issue orders to prevent potential disturbances and address urgent situations. The restrictions were imposed amid continuing protests linked to the Election Commission’s handling of electoral roll revisions.
According to the information provided by police, around 150 demonstrators were detained following the protests, and several FIRs were registered over alleged violations of prohibitory orders.
After the rally-related action, Dipke was booked under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS in a fresh preventive proceeding. This was separate from an earlier action on October 10, when he had been required to sign a peace bond undertaking for one year.
The current bail decision is subject to the conditions communicated by the authorities.
CJP Questions Legality Of Dipke’s Arrest
Ratna Singh, head of legal affairs for the Cockroach Janata Party, challenged Dipke’s detention and argued that asking citizens to participate in a peaceful demonstration could not, by itself, justify his arrest.
In a post on X, Singh wrote, “The SEM Court should release Abhijeet Dipke, as his arrest is unlawful. He merely urged people to unfurl the Tiranga – how can that by itself be a crime?”
She also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his detention, claiming that he was picked up outside his residence and that his whereabouts were not promptly disclosed. Singh further alleged that his lawyers had been unable to meet him.
“The manner in which he was picked up from right outside his residence, no information about his whereabouts, and the fact that even his lawyers have been unable to meet him raise serious concerns about due process and fundamental rights,” she wrote.
These statements represent the party’s allegations about the detention. The information provided does not establish whether a court has made any finding on those claims.
What Is The ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ Rally About?
The planned rally took place against the backdrop of demonstrations by Opposition leaders, INDIA bloc parties and student organisations over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its handling of the electoral process.
The protests have centred on allegations of irregularities in voter-roll revision. The Election Commission’s actions have become a subject of political debate, with demonstrators demanding accountability and raising concerns about the electoral process.
Authorities imposed restrictions on public assemblies in parts of Central Delhi. Police said the detentions and FIRs followed alleged violations of the prohibitory orders.
Dipke’s detention and subsequent bail have added a further legal dimension to the dispute, with the CJP questioning whether preventive action against its activist complied with due process.
Delhi Police have said Dipke’s release will follow the signing of a peace bond. Further details about the conditions attached to his release were not included in the information available for this report.
