Delhi Police personnel on Friday reached Rani Jhansi Road, where Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke is staying and served him a notice, apprising him of the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi area.
The police also appealed to him not to organise any gathering that violates the law, ahead of the party’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest at Central Park in Connaught Place.
According to news agency ANI, police teams arrived at the residence of NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande, where Dipke is currently staying, to inform him about the prohibitory orders and urge him to comply with them.
The development comes amid heightened security in the national
capital ahead of the proposed demonstration, scheduled for Friday at 5 pm.
The CJP has called on its supporters and members of the public to assemble at Central Park carrying the national flag.
CJP Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner
The proposed demonstration is part of the CJP’s campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
The protest call followed the arrest of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to judicial custody after entering Jantar Mantar while waving the national flag on October 13.
Dipke had said at a press conference late Thursday night that he was prepared to face arrest over the proposed demonstration.
“Tomorrow, we will peacefully go (to Central Park) and wave the Tiranga. As the citizens of this country, if you consider this to be a crime, then you are the biggest traitor,” Dipke said.
“If we have to go to jail for waving the tricolour, we are ready for it,” he added.
Dipke also alleged that he was being kept under surveillance at his residence and claimed that vehicles without number plates were following him.
He further alleged that Intelligence Bureau personnel were taking updates from the watchman outside his house.
Section 163 Orders Already In Force
Delhi Police has maintained that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are already in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas.
Delhi Police PRO Neha Yadav said the proposed march had not been granted permission and warned that action would be taken against those violating the orders or disturbing public peace, PTI reported.
Yadav also said the police were willing to facilitate a select group of protesters to hold a flag march at an alternative, suitable location.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that Central Park in Connaught Place will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons”.
Police have also been asked to ensure that unauthorised entry into the park is prevented.
The proposed gathering has prompted extensive security arrangements across the New Delhi area, including Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations.
Over 6,000 Police Personnel Deployed
According to PTI, more than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and an expanded CCTV camera network have been deployed ahead of the proposed protest.
Barricades have been placed at several locations, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg.
Police have also installed additional cameras in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk to monitor the expected gathering and preserve footage in the event of any violation or untoward incident.
Delhi Traffic Police has warned that movement on certain roads in and around Connaught Place could be affected from 3 pm on Friday.
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys, allow additional travel time and use public transport wherever possible. Traffic diversions may be introduced depending on the situation.
Dipke Says Peaceful Protest Is A Democratic Right
Amid the restrictions, Dipke has rejected allegations that the CJP’s activities promote disorder, arguing that demanding accountability from elected representatives is a fundamental democratic right.
In a post on X, he said the party had consistently followed the path of peace and non-violence and maintained that peaceful demonstrations should not be treated as acts of anarchy.
“Demanding answers from the govt is not anarchy, protesting against injustice on the streets is not anarchy, and questioning those who hold public office is certainly not anarchy,” Dipke said.
He also criticised what he described as the use of administrative restrictions against protesters, arguing that elected governments should remain accountable to citizens.
