Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was released on conditional bail on Saturday, October 17, a day after he was detained while heading to the outfit’s planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest at Connaught Place in Delhi.
A Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg granted him conditional bail, with one of the key conditions requiring him to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.
CJP national organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde reacted to Dipke’s release by posting “Cockroaches never die” on X, alongside a visual of the leader sitting in a car after his release.
A senior police officer told the Press Trust of India (PTI), “Based on the assurance given in the peace bond, he was let off. We are awaiting the written order for further details.”
The full conditions of his release are expected to become clear once the written order is available.
Why Was Abhijeet Dipke Detained?
Dipke was detained on Friday after leaving his residence in Delhi’s Jhandewalan area to participate in the CJP’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, scheduled for 5 pm at Connaught Place.
Delhi Police had served him notices asking him not to participate in the proposed procession. The notices referred to prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to PTI, Dipke was arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly violating a peace bond he had furnished on October 10.
On that date, Dipke and CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into preventive custody ahead of a planned protest. They were subsequently released after furnishing surety bonds of ₹50,000 each and undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Remain in Custody
While Dipke has been released, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka continue to remain in custody.
A Special Executive Magistrate had sent the two to five days of judicial custody following their detention over an alleged breach of the de-notified protest site at Jantar Mantar.
Their lawyer said police had accused them of criminal trespass and violating an earlier bond requiring them not to disturb public peace.
CJP representatives had also raised concerns over Dipke’s detention, alleging that he was taken to an undisclosed location without immediate access to lawyers.
Police Register FIRs Over Delhi Protests
Delhi Police detained more than 150 protesters on Friday amid demonstrations and alleged violations of prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and other parts of New Delhi.
Police said multiple FIRs had been registered over alleged violations of the restrictions. They added that action would be taken against those found violating the orders, including repeat offenders.
The CJP had called for the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march on Friday, but police had issued notices ahead of the planned gathering. AISA activist Neha Bora was also detained near Mandi House.
