CJP Alleges Police Parked ‘Damaged Car’ Near Protest Site; Security Tightened in Delhi (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: Security remained on high alert at Jantar Mantar on Thursday as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest over the alleged NEET paper leak entered its fourth day. Delhi Police maintained a heavy deployment around the protest venue, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) once again closed 16 metro stations from 7:30 am until further notice as a precautionary measure.
Early on Thursday, the CJP claimed that Delhi Police had placed a heavily damaged vehicle outside the protest venue. Sharing photographs on social media, the organisation questioned the purpose of the vehicle and urged people to document its condition, alleging it could later be linked to peaceful protesters. The police have not publicly responded to the allegation.
CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke said the organisation would move court against police officials over the baton charge during the recent protest. He also appealed to police and paramilitary personnel not to follow what he described as "illegal orders" against peaceful demonstrators.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday said he would not be present at the Jantar Mantar protest during the day as he was recovering from fever and severe body pain.
I’ve been down with a fever and severe body pain for the last few days, but I’ve been pushing through with painkillers.
My apologies if you don’t see me at Jantar Mantar today. I need to get a few hours of rest and recover.
Will be back at the protest site by evening.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 23, 2026
On X, he wrote, "I’ve been down with a fever and severe body pain for the last few days, but I’ve been pushing through with painkillers. My apologies if you don’t see me at Jantar Mantar today. I need to get a few hours of rest and recover. Will be back at the protest site by evening."
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on fast-track courts for paper leak cases, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the government's measures do not address the root cause of recurring exam leaks.
Delhi: On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet regarding fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, "...The real question is why paper leaks are happening in the first place. Paper leaks are happening because incapable and… pic.twitter.com/l9tU0PBHl3
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 23, 2026
“It is good that after one and a half months of protests, the Prime Minister has finally taken notice,” Ranka said, adding that punishing offenders after a leak occurs would not solve the larger problem.
“The real question is why paper leaks are happening in the first place. The injury keeps happening because the people running the system are neither accountable nor competent,” he said.
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on setting up fast-track courts for paper leak cases, Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose said the Opposition's demand for the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains unchanged.
Delhi: TMC MP Sagarika Ghose says, "We are not prepared to listen to any of this. Dharmendra Pradhan must resign first. Only after his resignation can there be a discussion. First the resignation, then the talks..."#TMC #MonsoonSession #Parliament #LokSabha #RajyaSabha pic.twitter.com/qTCuqB3f7K
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 23, 2026
Speaking to news agency ANI, Ghose said, “First resignation, then discussion. We are demanding discussion on NEET in the House but before the discussion, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will have to resign. If he does not resign, then we will not discuss. Why will Dharmendra Pradhan not resign? This is a very important question."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on fast-track courts for paper leak cases, accusing the government of failing students and shielding those responsible for irregularities in the education system.
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi tweets, "You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it. The students’ demands are clear: 1. Sack… pic.twitter.com/px1xkl5s07
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) July 23, 2026
In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it.”
The Congress leader also reiterated the demands being raised by protesters over the paper leak controversy. “The students’ demands are clear: 1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan. 2. Apologise to the students. 3. Take action against those who assaulted them,” he said.
Congress MP KC Venugopal has submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the NEET-UG paper leak issue and the alleged police lathi charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
The notice comes amid ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and demands for accountability in the paper leak case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak cases.
Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!
We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
In a post on X, Modi said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.”
He added that authorities have been directed to take all necessary steps to implement the decision. “This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” the prime minister said.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday said the party would take legal action against police personnel involved in the alleged lathi charge on protesters.
Calling the police action "very brutal", Dipke said, “I have already spoken about the lathi charge. It was very brutal, and we will take the police officers who carried it out to court.”
He said the protest has entered its 34th day, while climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike is on its 26th day. Dipke asserted that the agitation would continue until the group's demands are met.
At the same time, he appealed to Wangchuk to end his fast, saying, “We are requesting Sonam Sir to end his hunger strike because we cannot afford to lose his life.”
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Thursday shared visuals from Jantar Mantar in the morning. “Yesterday, Delhi Police cracked down heavily on protesters outside Jantar Mantar. Internet was shut down. People brutally lathicharged. And yet, this is today morning at Jantar Mantar,” Ranka said in a post on X.
Heavy security has been deployed at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is continuing its protest, PTI news agency reported.
A contingent of police was deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said he spoke to activist Sonam Wangchuk several times on Wednesday.
“The conclusion was that this peaceful protest should remain peaceful. He has also publicly appealed to all protesters to maintain peace and conduct this protest in the right manner…” Das said. He added, “In previous protests in this country, anti-social elements planted by the ruling regime infiltrate and derail the entire protest, then ultimately, those protesting peacefully are blamed, and this should not happen.”
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday said 16 metro stations will be closed from 7.30 am till further instructions. These include:
1. Lok Kalyan Marg
2. Rajiv Chowk
3. Patel Chowk
4. Ramakrishna Ashram Marg
5. Barakhambha Road
6. Supreme Court
7. Seva Teerth
8. Janpath
9. Mandi House
10. Central Secretariat
11. ITO
12. Delhi Gate
13. Indraprastha
14. Khan Market
15. Jor Bagh
16. Shivaji Stadium
However, DMRC said interchange facility would remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
