(Updates) Delhi CJP Protests: What Is Happening?

October 19

• “First Indians since Independence to be jailed for hoisting the national flag,” claims Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), referring to the detention of its members Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
• CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has urged volunteers to spend time with their families during the upcoming festivals, while asking them not to give in to hatred or provocation amid the recent detentions of activists associated with the movement.
• A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) on Monday extended Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka's judicial custody by 2 more days.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to take note of the judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, warning that chaos would spread if the present government remained in power while expressing faith in the apex court, saying it was the only institution that could save the country.

October 18

• CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh alleged that the hearing for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, scheduled for noon, was delayed until around 5:30 p.m. She said four sureties had been rejected on vague grounds, verification details had not been placed on record, and lawyers had not been properly informed about the proceedings. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused the state of deliberately delaying proceedings to prevent Das and Ranka’s release. Ratna Singh described the delays as procedural obstruction and questioned the functioning of the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court. CJP threatens that it would pursue legal action against those responsible if Das and Ranka were not released by the end of Sunday.
• The Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India called on supporters to assemble near the Le Meridien Hotel and march towards Jantar Mantar, demanding the CEC’s resignation and opposing restrictions on protest sites.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said the government was taking away people’s voting and protest rights and backed the argument that regime change through democratic means was legitimate.

October 17

• Delhi Police released the AISA president Neha Bora early Saturday after completing formalities under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act.
• Abhijeet Dipke was presented before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court. CJP legal head Ratna Singh alleged that the hearing had been delayed. Dipke was later granted conditional bail after signing a bond, according to CJP sources.
• Ratna Singh said Dipke and Ashu could not leave because the investigating officer arrived at 6 p.m. for a hearing scheduled at 2 p.m. A CJP national office-bearer declared, “Cockroaches never die.”
• Women protesters gathered near Bangla Sahib Gurudwara to protest the alleged sexual harassment of women demonstrators.
• Delhi Police registered at least two FIRs over alleged violations of prohibitory orders during the 16 October march and at least 10 FIRs over alleged assaults on protesters following public pressure. Four people were arrested in a case involving the alleged assault and harassment of protesters, including a minor girl.
• Six US Democratic lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to question India over alleged excessive force, wrongful detentions and surveillance of CJP protest supporters. Rubio was scheduled to visit India the following week.
• Prakash Raj vowed to continue peaceful nationwide demonstrations against the CEC and SIR despite police intervention. Farmers’ organisations under Samyukt Kisan Morcha announced a march to Delhi on 23 October demanding the CEC’s resignation.
• Congress maintained that seeking regime change through elections is legitimate, while Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said the public wanted a change of government.
• Delhi Police granted a No Objection Certificate for a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan, with the venue available from 25 October to 3 November, according to DCP Rohit Rajbir Singh.

October 16

• CJP-led ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march: Students, activists and citizens gathered near Central Park, Connaught Place, demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
• Delhi Police detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora ahead of the march. Central Park remained inaccessible amid heavy security.
• Dipke clarified that the protest only sought the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the appointment of an independent, unbiased successor, not a change of government.
• Protests beyond Delhi: Demonstrators held a ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest in Mumbai, while actor-activist Prakash Raj addressed a protest against the CEC and SIR in Kerala.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused Congress and its allies of seeking a Bangladesh-style regime change through street protests. Congress rejected the allegation, saying regime change takes place through elections.

October 15

• Actor Imran Khan has been issued a notice by Mumbai Police, ordering him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
• CJP announced “Tiranga marches” (flag-waving protest) at Connaught Place’s Central Park on October 16 at 5 pm.
• CJP said 11 of its members had been released by Wednesday night. However this does not include Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
• India rejected concerns raised by the UN human rights office over protest detentions. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the remarks “unwarranted” and “unacceptable” and characterised them as interference in India’s internal affairs.
• Delhi Police registered an FIR against women NSUI workers over an alleged assault during an incident inside a bus after their detention. Police detained SFI and DYFI workers marching from Firoz Shah Road towards Jantar Mantar, as well as NSUI and Indian Youth Congress workers protesting outside Parliament Street police station.
• AAP MP Sanjay Singh approached Parliament’s Privileges Committee over alleged police manhandling and forcible detention during protests on October 2, 10 and 12. He sought action against the Delhi Police commissioner and other officers, saying he would submit evidence.

October 14

• Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was attacked by a woman, with a knife outside her Kalighat residence on October 13 as she left for a Durga Puja inauguration. Police detained the accused, identified as 38-year-old civic volunteer Anusua Saha. TMC MP Dola Sen lodged a complaint at Kalighat police station.
• Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were arrested on allegations including trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaching a peace bond and obstructing a public servant’s duties. Police said Das and Ranka had previously signed undertakings to maintain peace for a year. The two were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail, while Shinde was released on a personal bond of Rs 5,000, according to CJP legal head Ratna Singh.
• Ratna Singh alleged that the leaders were denied access to their lawyers until late at night and were brought to Parliament Street police station in a private van around 3 am.
• Delhi Police requested an extension of the deployment of 273 Central Armed Police Forces companies until October 20, citing intelligence about possible fresh demonstrations by CJP activists and allied groups.
• Police designated Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative protest venues through an October 11 order.
• The National Students’ Union of India called for a flash protest on Janpath Road following the detention of CJP leaders. Student groups also raised calls to “reclaim Jantar Mantar” after its removal as a designated protest venue.
• CJP leader Vijay Reddy gave Delhi Police a 24-hour deadline to restore Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, warning of fresh demonstrations and nationwide mobilisation.

October 13

• Rahul Gandhi hosted INDIA bloc leaders, civil-society members and student organisations at his residence to discuss the campaign’s next steps. He said, “All protests are one,” and announced a joint media address after the meeting.
• According to Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer around 20 lakh of 33 lakh flagged voter-list entries had been resolved.
• The Supreme Court issued notice on a separate petition by the Association for Democratic Reforms challenging Section 16 of the 2023 law governing election commissioners, which provides protection against legal proceedings for actions taken in the discharge of official duties.
• The Supreme Court postponed hearings on alleged illegal detentions, assaults on protesters and transport restrictions until October 15 because Justice V. Mohana was unwell.
• Lawyers for the Constitution and four of its members filed a Supreme Court petition alleging mistreatment and unlawful detention during the October 10–11 protests.
• Police confirmed the detention of CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Jantar Mantar. Founder Abhijeet Dipke said Ajinkya Shinde and other members were also detained.
• The Supreme Court Bar Association condemned social media calls for Chief Justice Surya Kant’s resignation, saying such statements undermine the judiciary and interfere with the administration of justice.
• CJP leaders Ajinkya Shinde, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were reportedly detained again early Tuesday after reaching Jantar Mantar to continue their demonstration.
• The CJP’s 24-hour deadline for Delhi Police to provide a date for a peaceful protest expires today. The group had warned that it otherwise intended to announce its own protest call.

October 12

• Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders joined the “March for Democracy” towards the Supreme Court along with hundreds of supporters, activists and civil-society members.
• Police stopped the march at barricades on Bhagwan Dass Road. Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav climbed onto a vehicle during the standoff; a delegation of opposition leaders later reached the Supreme Court, and Gandhi entered its registry.
• Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The plea alleges large-scale voter deletions and irregularities; filing the petition does not establish those allegations as fact. Mamata Banerjee said elections ought to use the previous voter list until all eligible voters’ names are included in the revised rolls.
• CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka visited Parliament Street Police Station to seek a date for a peaceful protest. Separately, founder Abhijeet Dipke said removing Jantar Mantar as a designated venue did not end the group’s campaign.
• The Supreme Court agreed to hear a fresh petition challenging restrictions on demonstrations. The plea questioned the absence of a publicly available prohibitory order and raised allegations of excessive police action. A separate Supreme Court Bar Association plea concerning lawyers’ detentions and internet suspension was also listed for Tuesday.
• Lawyers gathered near the Bombay High Court in solidarity with Delhi advocates who alleged police mistreatment. Mumbai police dispersed the gathering, saying prior permission was required.
• The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 37 journalists had been temporarily detained while covering protests in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Pune on October 10–11, with some also reportedly assaulted.
• Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from its list of designated protest venues, following recommendations from a Home Ministry committee. Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Ground were named as alternatives, with revised rules to follow.
• Entry and exit gates at six Delhi Metro stations, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road were scheduled to remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm for security reasons. Interchange services remain available.
• The INDIA bloc plans a “March for Democracy” towards the Supreme Court. Participants have been asked to gather at the Connaught Place Barakhamba Road junction at 1:30 pm IST. Their demands include Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The march had not begun at the time of this morning update.
• CJP leaders announced plans to visit Parliament Street Police Station at 10 am to seek a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. They gave police a 24-hour deadline to respond, saying they otherwise intend to announce their own protest date. Confirmation of the visit or a police response was not available in the reports checked.

October 11

• CJP leaders renewed their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Ashutosh Ranka said the campaign would continue.
• Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting requested by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi over alleged electoral irregularities. He cited related matters already pending before the Supreme Court and directed the leaders to pursue the issue through a formal petition.
• Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal said the opposition respected the Chief Justice’s decision but remained committed to the October 12 march towards the Supreme Court.
• The Supreme Court directed authorities to maintain Metro, rail and internet services, review barricades, and follow legal procedures for detentions.
• More than 200 protesters were reportedly detained across Delhi, with detentions continuing into the evening. The CJP also reported detentions near Rajiv Chowk Metro station and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. This is a broader daily figure, not an additional count to add to the earlier 60–70 detentions.
• Police detained at least 25 women near Connaught Place ahead of a Students’ Federation of India rally scheduled for 6:30 pm. The SFI alleged that male officers detained women protesters and challenged the legality of the evening detentions; these remain the organisation’s allegations.
• The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over reports of mass detentions while India calls it ‘unwarranted interference’.
• CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released with a one-year condition not to “breach peace,” according to the party’s legal affairs head.
• Dhruv Rathee was released and said on social media that he had been “kidnapped,” not arrested or detained. He also added that he did not sign any bond, undertaking, or release conditions following his detention.
• Delhi Police registered multiple FIRs linked to the protests including four Hindu Raksha Dal members were arrested over an alleged assault. Rahul Gandhi announced another opposition mobilisation for October 12.

October 10

• Police blocked protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar, citing security concerns and inadequate notice. Restrictions on roads, Metro access and internet disrupted movement and communication.
• More than 7,000 people were reportedly detained across Delhi, including several opposition leaders. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving at Delhi airport. Moreover, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained at his Gurugram home.
• Related demonstrations in Mumbai also saw hundreds detained.
• Opposition figures, including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, were also detained as police prevented demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar.
• Actor Imran Khan was detained separately in Mumbai during related protests. Dhruv Rathee was released late on October 10, and an executive magistrate ordered the release of Dipke, Das and Ranka on October 11.

October 8

• INDIA bloc leaders marched towards the Election Commission, held a sit-in after police stopped them, and were detained before being released later that night.

October 7

• On October 7, 2026, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) formally submitted an application to the Delhi Police requesting permission to hold a major mass protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on October 10.

October 6

• Rahul Gandhi, alongside other INDIA bloc MPs, youth groups, and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), marched toward the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters.
• During the standoff at the police barricades, Rahul Gandhi climbed onto a police barricade and waved the Indian national flag (Tricolour) before he and other lawmakers were detained
• Rahul Gandhi along with Priyanka Gandhi and other opposition leaders were briefly detained by Delhi police.

Context

The protest is part of the campaign against India’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Protesters say the exercise risks removing eligible citizens of their voting rights while the Election Commission maintains that the revision is intended to remove inaccurate entries. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were detained on October 6th during the protest.

On October 10, police blocked the CJP’s planned gathering at Jantar Mantar and detained activists, public figures and opposition politicians. The Delhi Police detained the founder ‌of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke and You Tuber Dhruv Rathee on Saturday, before joining the protests. While CJP leaders Saurav Das and ​Ashutosh Ranka were also ​detained ⁠from their flight upon landing, according to a report by Reuters. On October 11, the India court released Abhijeet Dipke, Dhruv Rathee, 2 others on one-year peace condition.

Why It Matters

The dispute concerns the basic right to vote. If eligible names disappear from electoral rolls, citizens lose their voice before an election even begins.

Moreover, the right to protest is a separate concern. Detentions before people reach a gathering, while restricting transport and mobile internet also raise concerns about the right to protest. Rathee was taken from his Gurugram home, while three CJP leaders were detained from their aircraft after landing in Delhi before they reached the gathering. After his release, Rathee said he was “not arrested or detained” but “kidnapped”.

What We Think

Detaining protesters before they can make their case is a concerning answer to questions about voter rights. A democracy gains credibility through scrutiny and open challenge, not by turning its capital into a barrier against dissent.