Neha Bora Released, CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Arrested in Delhi
All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was released early on Saturday, October 17, while Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was arrested and was to be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court later in the day, Delhi Police said. Both had been taken into preventive custody on Friday ahead of the “Lehra Do Tiranga” protest march at Connaught Place in New Delhi.
What Delhi Police Said
Police said Bora was released after “completing formalities under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act.” She had been detained at Mandi House on her way to the protest venue, while Dipke was detained at Jhandewalan, according to PTI.
Action against Dipke was initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deal with preventive measures, and police sources said he was subsequently arrested. Police said about 150 people were detained on Friday to maintain “law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement.” The outcome of Dipke’s appearance before the magistrate was not immediately known.
Allegations by AISA
AISA alleged that Bora was moved between several locations across Delhi for about five hours before being taken to RK Puram police station. The organisation also alleged that lawyers who reached the police station around midnight were denied access to her and that she was denied medicines despite being unwell. Police have not publicly responded to these allegations.
The protests demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. IPB News has earlier explained why the CJP is holding these protests and reported on Friday’s detentions in Delhi.
Why It Matters for Citizens
The episode has become part of a wider debate on the right to protest and on how police use preventive detention powers during public demonstrations. Preventive sections allow police to hold people to stop a possible offence, but such detention is meant to be short and subject to a magistrate’s review.
For ordinary residents and commuters in central Delhi, the protests have also meant heavy security, road closures and cordoned-off areas around Connaught Place. The next steps will depend on the SEM court’s decision on Dipke and on whether the CJP and student groups go ahead with further protests.
Based on reporting by ThePrint (PTI) and Onmanorama.
Image: Onmanorama / PTI.
