Delhi Protest Update: AISA President Neha Bora Released, CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke Placed Under Preventive Detention

The Delhi Police placed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke under preventive arrest and released All India Students' Association (AISA) chief Neha Bora early Saturday, October 17, following their detention ahead of the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest march in Delhi's Connaught Place.

The two activists were detained on Friday while reportedly heading to participate in the demonstration. The protest forms part of a broader campaign by political opposition groups, student organisations and civil society members seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The campaign has raised concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Why Was Abhijeet Dipke Arrested?

According to the reported details, Dipke was placed under preventive arrest under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The action was linked to concerns about a potential breach of peace.

He was expected to be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) later on Saturday. CJP legal head Ratna Singh said in a post on X that Dipke had been arrested but alleged that his location remained unknown to the party and that lawyers had not been able to meet him.

In a subsequent update, Singh indicated that Dipke was expected to appear before the court at noon.

The allegations concerning access to Dipke and his whereabouts were made by party representatives. The available report did not include a response from the Delhi Police addressing those specific claims.

Neha Bora Released After Preventive Detention

AISA chief Neha Bora was released early Saturday after the authorities completed the formalities associated with her detention under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act.

Following her release, Bora criticised the police action against protesters. She alleged that demonstrators had been detained without sufficient justification and held for extended periods before being released.

Bora argued that repeated detentions could discourage ordinary citizens from participating in public demonstrations. She also called for Dipke and other detained protesters to be released, maintaining that the participants were seeking accountability and protection of their voting rights.

Her statements reflect the concerns raised by the student organisation over the handling of the protests.

CJP and AISA Raise Concerns Over Access to Detained Leaders

Before Bora's release, both CJP and AISA had raised concerns about their leaders' whereabouts and access to legal assistance following Friday's detentions.

CJP alleged that Dipke had been taken to an undisclosed location and that party representatives had lost contact with him. The organisation also claimed that he had not been permitted to speak with lawyers.

AISA separately alleged that Bora was being held alone at the Anti-Narcotics Task Force facility in Mangolpuri.

These claims placed the circumstances of the detentions at the centre of the dispute, with the organisations demanding information about the detained leaders and their access to legal support.

Protests Over Electoral Rolls and the SIR Exercise

The detentions took place amid demonstrations in several parts of India against the Election Commission's electoral roll revision process and alleged irregularities in voter lists.

The protesters, including members of opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations, have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has become a major point of political contention, with critics raising questions about the electoral roll process and its implications for voters. The concerns remain allegations and political demands, rather than findings established by the details available in this report.

The 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march in Connaught Place was part of this wider mobilisation.

What Happens Next?

Dipke's expected appearance before the Special Executive Magistrate was the next key development in the case as of Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Bora's release did not end the dispute over the detentions, with AISA and CJP continuing to seek the release of other protesters and raise questions about access to legal assistance.

Further clarity on Dipke's status, the circumstances of his detention and the police response to the organisations' allegations would help establish the next steps in the matter.

The episode has brought renewed attention to the handling of protest-related detentions in the national capital, as demonstrations over electoral roll revisions continue.

Sources By Agencies