Abhijeet Dipke stepped out of a residence in Delhi’s Central Zone on Friday morning, heading toward Central Park in Connaught Place to join the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march. Police intercepting him at a checkpoint announced that he was being placed under preventive detention, citing Section 163 of the Delhi Police Act.
The protest, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. today, was to rally against perceived governmental neglect of national symbols. The party’s spokesperson, Anish Gawande, had earlier called for a mass gathering, but the police warned that any assembly could trigger legal action.
A uniformed officer, seen on video, said, ‘We are placing you under preventive detention. Section 163 is in force in Connaught Place. You are being detained.’ The man, reportedly 42, was handcuffed and transported to the Central Police Station.
The Cockroach Janta Party reacted on social media, accusing the state of political repression. Delhi Police said the detention was lawful and aimed at preventing potential unlawful assemblies. The protest is now officially cancelled, and authorities are preparing to file charges against participants who defied the order.
Officials expect a court hearing on the matter next week, while the party is calling for an emergency meeting to decide on a new strategy.