Maharashtra police issues notices to CJP volunteers over Delhi protest, alleges Dipke

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has alleged that Maharashtra Police are issuing notices to volunteers planning to join the party’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi on October 10.

Dipke shared a photograph of a purported notice issued by Chandrapur Police to a CJP supporter on Monday. The notice said police had learnt that the person planned to travel to Delhi to support Dipke’s proposed march and sought details about the purpose of the trip, its funding and the person’s objective.

The notice directed the supporter not to participate in the protest or other agitation without permission, associate with “violent protesters”, post “violent” content on social media or make provocative speeches. It warned that preventive or criminal action could follow if his actions led to, or were likely to lead to, a cognisable offence.

The notice also cited Section 37(1)(3) of the Maharashtra Police Act, under which authorities can prohibit public gatherings and processions to maintain public order. The provision was stated to be in force in Chandrapur.

Dipke questioned why police were seeking information about supporters’ travel and asked how they could claim that the protest would become violent. He also questioned whether plans were being made to disrupt the demonstration.

Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopany told The Indian Express that issuing such notices before protests was routine. He said police had identified people from Chandrapur who were likely to travel to Delhi and wanted to caution them against violence and provocative speeches. He added that permission would be required from the concerned Delhi police station.

The CJP has said it will march to Delhi and protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not resign. The demand follows protests over the Election Commission’s functioning and its handling of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.