CJP protest Day 2: How Delhi unfolded amid new ties, Supreme Court intervention and calls for CEC resignation | Today’s news
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Sunday vowed to intensify its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as demonstrations entered a second day in Delhi, with around 200 people detained amid heavy security deployment across the capital.
What happened on the 2nd day of the CJP protest?
The agitation, sparked by allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, continued despite restrictions and barricades around key areas of New Delhi.
The Supreme Court intervened, ordering the authorities not to illegally detain people who are gathering peacefully and asking them to ensure uninterrupted metro services and internet connectivity, as per the requirements of law and order.
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Around 200 students and protesters were detained as protesters marched towards Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police maintained heavy security deployment in the capital.
The protests were sparked by accusations of irregularities in a particularly intensive revision of electoral rolls. The CJP and opposition groups called for Kumar’s resignation.
The court said people assembling peacefully should not be illegally detained and asked the authorities to maintain uninterrupted metro services and internet connectivity, in accordance with the requirements of law and order.
Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released after being produced before an executive magistrate. The police said they had given a bond of ₹50,000 to keep the peace for a year, while Dipke said he did not sign the bond.
CJP leaders said the agitation will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. Ranka said the party leaders would seek a date for the Jantar Mantar peaceful protest from the Delhi Police.
Read also | CJP leaders will visit Delhi Police Station on Monday to find a date for the protest
The Supreme Court will intervene
A special bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued the notice to the Center while hearing a contempt of court plea for alleged violation of an earlier order regarding curtailment of metro and train services during protests.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-organizers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka along with Legal Director Ratna Singh during a press conference after their release from remand in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI)(HT_PRINT)
The court also asked Advocate General Tushar Mehta to ensure that lawyers, journalists and others can perform their professional duties without hindrance. It clarified that a peaceful assembly cannot be grounds for illegal detention, while recognizing the authority of the authorities under the law.
CJP leaders released, vow to continue agitation
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released after being produced before an executive magistrate. Delhi Police said they were released after providing a ₹50,000 bonds to keep the peace and good behavior for one year.
The party called their release a legal victory. Das, however, alleged that the authorities treated the citizens unfairly, alleging that the police confiscated their phones during the detentions without issuing seizure records.
He expressed concern that the devices may have been hacked or cloned, although no evidence of such tampering was provided.
Read also | “We’ll hit the streets again”: declares CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke
Ranka said the agitation would continue until Kumar stepped down, with demonstrations planned outside Delhi.
Students detained during the march
Around 200 students and protesters were detained on Sunday as the protesters marched towards Jantar Mantar and raised slogans demanding the resignation of the CEC.
Members of the Students’ Federation of India, the All India Students’ Association and the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan were among those detained. CPI(M) MP John Brittas and AISA president Neha Bora were also taken into custody.
Delhi Police registered 20 FIRs related to Saturday’s demonstrations, including cases related to alleged attacks on police personnel and obstruction of government employees.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee further alleged that plainclothes people took him away from his residence on Saturday morning and shifted him between police stations without allowing him to contact his lawyer for about 22-23 hours. His account could not be independently based on available materials.
Read also | Dhruv Rathee claims ‘kidnapping’ after release: A look at his education, career
The police also released the footage to counter the CJP’s claim that Dipke was not informed about his grandmother’s death while in custody, saying he was told about the funeral and offered to help him travel home.
The confrontation is expected to continue, with the INDIA bloc preparing another march on Monday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said he and Rahul Gandhi sought a meeting with the Chief Justice of India to seek intervention over the “chori election” allegations.
