Archive · 11 Oct 2026
CJP Leaders and Dhruv Rathee Released After Delhi Protest Detentions
The Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi about changes to voter lists.
Police stopped the protest and detained several people.
Three party leaders were released on Sunday, and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was released late Saturday with a warning not to return to the protest.
Former police commissioner Bhaskar Rao asked the Home Ministry to check Rathee’s citizenship and immigration status.
That request does not prove Rathee broke any rules.
The detentions led to arguments between opposition parties and the BJP about the police response and the right to protest.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released on Sunday after being produced before an executive magistrate.
Delhi Police said the CJP leaders were booked under BNSS Sections 126 and 170 after their preventive arrests.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was released late Saturday and warned against returning to the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao asked the Home Ministry to verify Rathee’s citizenship, immigration status and compliance with visa rules; his letter does not establish a violation.
The detentions followed a CJP-led protest planned over alleged discrepancies in electoral-roll revisions and a demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Who
- Cockroach Janta Party leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and other protesters.
- What
- The three CJP leaders and Rathee were released after police detained them in connection with a planned protest; Rathee was warned not to join it again.
- When
- The protest was planned for October 10; Rathee was released late Saturday and the CJP leaders on Sunday.
- Where
- Delhi, including Jantar Mantar and Delhi Cantt Police Station; Rathee was detained at his home in Gurugram.
- Why
- The CJP protest sought to highlight alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Opposition and protest concerns
Police and BJP position
Police action and right to protest
Opposition and protest concerns
Opposition leaders and activists criticized the detentions, with concerns that the right to protest was being restricted.
Police and BJP position
Delhi Police said it denied permission for the gathering, tightened security and detained people in connection with efforts to stage the protest by force.
Political responsibility for unrest
Opposition and protest concerns
INDIA bloc leaders criticized the detentions and police action.
Police and BJP position
The BJP blamed Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties for seeking to create chaos in Delhi and alleged they were acting on foreign orders.
- Released CJP leaders
- Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka
- CJP leaders’ legal provisions
- Delhi Police cited Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
- Rathee’s release
- He was released late Saturday and warned not to return to the Jantar Mantar protest.
- Citizenship and immigration inquiry
- Bhaskar Rao asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to verify Rathee’s status and whether he complied with relevant rules.
- Delhi Police cases
- Police said they filed more than 20 FIRs related to attempts to stage the protest by force and that four people were arrested in connection with the incident.
- Ratna Singh’s court request
- A Delhi court rejected her request for an FIR or non-cognisable report, citing a missing legal statement and the absence of a named public official.