New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was released on conditional bail on Saturday after signing a peace bond before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in New Delhi. He was detained by Delhi Police on Friday while heading to an anti-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) protest.
The protest, called ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’, was planned at Central Park in Connaught Place. Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Dipke was detained under preventive provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These provisions allow police to take action when they believe there may be a risk to public peace. He was later produced before the SEM court and released after signing a peace bond. Reports said the bond requires him to maintain peace for one year.
The detention of Dipke and other protesters drew criticism from student groups and opposition parties. Several opposition leaders questioned the police action and called for the release of those detained. Student groups also raised concerns about restrictions on peaceful protests in the national capital.
The Election Commission has rejected claims of bias in the voter list revision process. The commission has said that people whose names are wrongly removed can apply to have their names added again.
Dipke’s release comes amid growing political debate over the SIR process and demands for changes in the way voter lists are revised. The issue is likely to remain a key point of discussion among political parties, student groups and election officials.