Pinarayi Vijayan detained in Delhi, Abhijeet Dipke, CJP leaders detained aboard flight
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New Delhi: Police detained several people in the national capital on Saturday as security restrictions were tightened ahead of a demonstration seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Those taken into custody included Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were stopped inside their aircraft after arriving from Mumbai.
The three leaders landed in Delhi at approximately 10.20 am. Footage released by the CJP’s political campaign showed police personnel entering the aircraft and taking them into custody before they could leave.
The party accused the authorities of deliberately obstructing its leaders from reaching the demonstration. It demanded their unconditional release, arguing that the detentions infringed on their right to move freely.
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Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was also taken into custody near Kerala House on Jantar Mantar Road on Saturday morning, according to sources. He was later taken to the Chhatrasal Stadium complex, where other detainees were being held. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and Ratna Singh, who heads the CJP’s legal affairs, were also among those detained.
The CJP and student organisations affiliated with Left parties had planned the demonstration at Jantar Mantar for 10 am. The Delhi Police had not granted permission for the gathering.
Authorities had introduced a series of measures ahead of the protest to prevent large groups from assembling in the capital. These included train cancellations, the closure of 45 metro stations and the suspension of mobile internet services in central Delhi. Police also detained people in areas including Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place. Protest organisers criticised the restrictions, describing them as an attempt to discourage participation.
The demonstration comes amid a series of protests across the country calling for Kumar’s resignation. The campaign centres on concerns about the Election Commission’s functioning, particularly its conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
