Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and senior party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday, October 10, ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The three leaders were reportedly taken off a flight from Mumbai after it landed at the Delhi airport. The planned protest, organised by CJP and supported by Opposition leaders, centres on allegations of irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Several Opposition leaders, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and Left leader Neha Bora, were also reported to have been detained as police prepared to prevent disruptions in the national capital.
The protesters are demanding Kumar's resignation and a reversal of the SIR exercise. They allege that the voter verification process could lead to eligible voters being removed from electoral rolls. The Election Commission has denied wrongdoing.
The protest follows renewed Opposition criticism of the SIR process and an investigation published by The Indian Express last month that reported alleged irregularities in the exercise.
Following the report, the Election Commission issued a statement saying that differences in views and observations were normal during institutional deliberations. Days later, the three-member poll panel announced nine decisions addressing the issues raised.
The Commission also announced a special drive to enrol eligible voters who had been left out, including first-time voters, through the process of continuous updation of electoral rolls.
However, these steps have not ended the Opposition's demand for accountability. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly raised allegations of 'vote chori', accusing the Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of working together to influence electoral outcomes. These allegations remain contested, with the Election Commission denying wrongdoing.
The planned demonstration is part of the Opposition's wider campaign over voter registration and the integrity of elections.
Ahead of the protest, Rahul Gandhi and a delegation of Opposition lawmakers met President Droupadi Murmu late Friday and submitted a memorandum raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The delegation highlighted what it described as 'vote chori' involving the Election Commission and the BJP. After the meeting, Gandhi said the President had not rejected the allegations raised by the Opposition.
The delegation included Opposition leaders and MPs from different parties, with the protest being backed by figures including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O'Brien, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Delhi Police imposed restrictions ahead of the October 10 demonstration, citing concerns about possible law-and-order problems. Police had refused permission for the protest, reportedly citing the late submission of the application by CJP.
Restrictions on large gatherings were imposed in the New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Authorities also prepared a multi-point security plan intended to prevent protesters from gathering at restricted locations and disrupting public movement. The measures reportedly included instructions to hotels and guest houses concerning visitors believed to be arriving for the demonstration, as well as coordination with ride-hailing services to regulate movement towards central Delhi.
Liquor shops across the city were also reported to have been ordered closed until Sunday.
The extensive preparations followed earlier protests in the capital that resulted in police detentions. Authorities were particularly alert after demonstrations in June involving CJP and other protesters over alleged corruption in the public examination system.