New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was reportedly taken into police custody for questioning at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after arriving in the capital, as authorities tightened security ahead of the party’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Police personnel boarded the aircraft shortly after it landed and approached Dipke inside the cabin. The encounter led to a brief exchange in which the CJP founder challenged the officers to arrest him, while the police asked him to cooperate, saying their action did not amount to an arrest.
The incident comes amid restrictions imposed by Delhi Police on the proposed CJP gathering, which is centred on demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Heated Exchange Inside Aircraft
During the interaction, Dipke reportedly told officers that he had come to Delhi prepared to be arrested and urged them to take him into custody.
Police personnel responded that he was not being arrested and asked him to cooperate with their instructions.
Dipke also invoked the name of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, claiming that even she had not taken such action. The remark added a political dimension to the exchange, although the full circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
There has been no confirmed information about whether Dipke was subsequently moved to a police facility or released after the airport encounter.
Security Measures Ahead of CJP Protest
The airport incident occurred as Delhi Police stepped up preventive measures across the capital ahead of the proposed CJP demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Authorities have refused permission for the gathering, citing public safety concerns and requirements governing applications for protests. Police have also deployed personnel at sensitive locations and introduced barricades to prevent unauthorised assemblies.
The proposed demonstration is linked to the party’s objections concerning the chief election commissioner and the SIR exercise. The police response has become a separate focus of attention as party supporters attempt to reach the capital.
Police Response Remains Under Scrutiny
The exchange aboard the aircraft raises questions about the precise nature of the action taken against Dipke. Although the police reportedly told him that he was not under arrest, the legal basis and subsequent outcome of the encounter have not been established from the available information.
An official statement clarifying Dipke’s status and the reasons for the intervention would help establish whether the incident involved preventive detention, questioning or another police procedure.
The developments come at a time of heightened tension surrounding the planned protest, with authorities continuing to monitor movement and gatherings at key locations across Delhi.
