Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das says there is a Emergency-like situation in country (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenor Saurav Das has accused Delhi Police of high-handedness following his detention ahead of the party’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the leaders were taken away, their phones were seized and they were denied access to lawyers.
The allegations come amid a continuing controversy over the detention of CJP leaders ahead of their demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi: CJP Co-Convenor Saurav Das says, "There is a situation resembling an open emergency across the country. Such conditions were last witnessed in 1975 under a dictatorial regime..."
#Delhi #DelhiPolice @SauravDassss @AshutoshRanka @abhijeet_dipke https://t.co/TwoGc5nGvf
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 11, 2026
According to the allegations reported by Hindustan Times, Das criticised the police action and raised concerns over the treatment of the detained leaders. The allegations have brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding the detention and the legal safeguards available to people taken into custody.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convenor Saurav Das and party leader Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police after arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport from Mumbai on October 10.
Delhi: CJP Co-Convenor Ashutosh Ranka says, "The way four former Chief Ministers—Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Manik Sarkar, Pinarayi Vijayan—came out on the streets yesterday with the students and youth of this country, we wholeheartedly thank them for the fight they waged to save the democracy of this country's people..."
@AshutoshRanka @abhijeet_dipke @SauravDassss @Cockroachisback
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 11, 2026
The leaders had travelled to the national capital to participate in the party’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protest was intended to demand accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Police had denied permission for the proposed gathering, citing public safety and law-and-order concerns. The detention of the party’s senior leadership triggered criticism from CJP members and supporters.
Das’s allegations focus on the manner in which the leaders were detained and their access to communication and legal assistance. The reported claims include the seizure of their phones and the denial of access to lawyers.
The allegations have intensified questions about the procedures followed during the police action. However, the claims concerning the treatment of the detained leaders should be distinguished from the police’s stated justification for preventive action.
Delhi Police had maintained that the detentions were linked to security and law-and-order preparations ahead of the planned protest.
An Executive Magistrate ordered the release of Dipke, Das and Ranka on October 11, subject to a condition that they maintain peace for one year.
Their release followed widespread criticism of the preventive action and renewed calls from the party for an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the detentions.
The CJP has maintained that it will continue its campaign over the alleged electoral-roll irregularities. The episode has also revived a wider debate over protest restrictions, police powers and the rights of people detained during demonstrations.
The allegations made by Das are likely to keep the spotlight on the police action as the party considers its next steps.
