Delhi Police placed Abhijeet Dipke, founder and national convenor of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), under preventive detention on Friday (October 16, 2026) as he was en route to lead the party’s pre-announced ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march and flag-hoisting rally. Dipke was intercepted around 5:00 PM BST while heading toward Central Park in Connaught Place.
Citing security risks, festive season crowding, and active restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Delhi Police had earlier urged Dipke to call off the gathering. When he proceeded with the march, police took him into custody to prevent unauthorized assemblies.
Preventive Detention & Police Action: New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma confirmed that Section 163 of the BNSS had been enforced across the Central Delhi district to prevent unauthorized gatherings and maintain public order. Dipke was formally detained under these provisions after leaving the residence of NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande.
Second Detention Within a Week: This marks Dipke’s second police detention in less than seven days. On October 10, he was taken into custody directly from inside an aircraft upon landing in Delhi during widespread anti-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) protests.
Mass Detentions & Unmanned Venues: Alongside Dipke, All India Students’ Association (AISA) leader Neha Bora and nearly 150 student activists were preventively detained near Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place. CJP representatives alleged that their core leadership was moved to undisclosed locations.
Opposition Backlash: Opposition parties heavily criticized the ruling BJP-led government and Delhi Police, labeling the crackdown on a peaceful national flag-hoisting event as an act of “undeclared emergency” and an suppression of youth rights.
