Abhijit Deepke released on bond after Delhi court order

Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), was released from police custody on Saturday after a Delhi court directed him to furnish a bond of Rs 50,000 and undertake not to disturb public order, amid ongoing protests over alleged electoral irregularities in India.

Deepke walked out of Mandir Marg police station following the court's order. He had been detained on Friday while preparing to join a protest march in Connaught Place, organised under the banner ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ as part of the campaign alleging electoral malpractice. The organisers planned to wave Indian national flags during the march.

All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, who was also detained on Friday, was released early on Saturday. However, Deepke was produced before a special executive magistrate after Delhi Police initiated proceedings against him.

Police said the detentions were preventive measures to maintain public order. While Bora was released after formalities under the Delhi Police Act, a fresh case was filed against Deepke for allegedly disturbing public order under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

Deepke had earlier been detained on October 10 from inside an aircraft at Delhi airport and faced a separate case over alleged breach of public order. He was then made to sign an undertaking not to disturb public order for one year.

Meanwhile, two CJP leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, remain in judicial custody over allegations of unauthorised entry into Jantar Mantar, which was excluded from the list of designated protest sites last week.

After her release, Bora criticised Delhi Police and the BJP-led central government, alleging that the detention of protesters was unlawful. She demanded an end to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for the resignation and imprisonment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Speaking to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Bora said she had been detained from the Mandi House area and kept at a police station overnight until 5AM. She alleged that such detentions and harassment had been taking place for years and had become more visible amid the ongoing protests.

Bora also demanded the immediate release of all protesters detained or arrested, including Deepke.

The Election Commission, however, has maintained that decisions concerning the revision of electoral rolls have already received the Supreme Court's approval. The BJP has accused opposition parties, the CJP and student organisations of staging protests allegedly funded by foreign sources to create disorder in the country.

Police said around 150 people were detained on Friday to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Security was tightened around Central Park in Connaught Place, with additional police personnel and rapid-response teams deployed.

- MaT