The Cockroach Janta Party has announced another protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday, October 11, following Saturday’s extensive police restrictions and detentions. The party is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde took charge of the mobilisation after founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained. Shinde announced plans for supporters to gather at 10 AM. The announcement represents a fresh protest call. The report does not confirm that authorities granted permission for Sunday’s gathering.
Leaders Remain Out of Contact, Says CJP
Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained shortly after arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday. CJP said it had been unable to contact them for more than 12 hours and did not know where they were being held.
Delhi Police said approximately 3,000 people detained under the Delhi Police Act were released on Saturday evening. However, the report stated that the three CJP leaders remained in custody.
The party’s account of their whereabouts should be distinguished from a confirmed official explanation. Their detention and the lack of contact described by CJP have become central issues surrounding the renewed mobilisation.
Delhi Security Measures Disrupt Transport
Police had denied permission for Saturday’s demonstration, citing security and law-and-order concerns. More than 20,000 police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed across Delhi, including approximately 6,500 around Jantar Mantar.
Barricades, checkpoints and traffic restrictions affected movement across the capital. Several Metro stations were closed, train services were cancelled, and mobile internet was suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path area.
Entry and exit gates at all Delhi Metro stations reopened after 10 PM on Saturday, with affected interchange facilities restored. Connaught Place markets were expected to reopen on Sunday. Delhi Police also issued a traffic advisory warning that diversions could be introduced depending on the law-and-order situation.
Supreme Court Hearing Scheduled Amid Political Reactions
The Supreme Court scheduled a special Sunday sitting to hear petitions connected with Saturday’s events. One petition challenges the detention of opposition leaders and protesters.
A separate contempt petition alleges that transport restrictions continued despite the court’s October 9 directions against a complete public transport shutdown. These are allegations raised in the petition, rather than findings reported by the court.
Opposition leaders criticised the police action, while Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta defended the handling of the situation. The UN human rights office also expressed concern over reported mass detentions and urged respect for peaceful assembly. With another protest announced, attention remains on the detained leaders’ status, the court proceedings and any further restrictions affecting central Delhi.
