Abhijit Dipke Granted Bail with Conditions Following Protest Detention

New Delhi, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : Abhijit Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach People’s Party (CJP), has been granted bail under specific conditions, according to sources from the Delhi police. The bail was issued on a peace bond, allowing him to be released following his detention.

Dipke was taken into precautionary custody by the police on Friday after he called for a protest titled “Lahara Do Tiranga” at Central Park in Connaught Place. His arrest occurred shortly after he left the residence of Anish Gawande, spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar). During his detention, a police officer informed him that Section 163 of the Indian National Security Code (BNS) was in effect in Connaught Place, which justified his precautionary arrest.

The CJP had organized the “Lahara Do Tiranga” protest in Central Park, but prior to the event, the Delhi police issued a notice to Dipke. The notice stated that a call for gathering at Connaught Place had been made via social media for 5 PM, but no legal permission had been obtained for the assembly.

In its notice, the police referenced directives from the Delhi High Court, indicating that unauthorized gatherings could disrupt traffic, law and order, public safety, and business activities in the area. Connaught Place is a major commercial hub, home to numerous shops, showrooms, restaurants, hotels, banks, and offices. Authorities expressed concerns that a protest could negatively impact the livelihoods of local businesses and employees.

The notice also mentioned the Rajiv Chowk metro station, a crucial interchange for the Blue and Yellow lines, which serves approximately 200,000 passengers daily. An increase in crowd size could lead to traffic congestion, disorder, and panic.

The police emphasized that Section 163 of the BNS is enforceable in Connaught Place, and violations could result in legal action under Section 223 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other relevant laws. Dipke was instructed not to conduct any protests, rallies, or processions in the vicinity of Connaught Place and was prohibited from using loudspeakers. The notice clarified that Connaught Place is not a designated protest site, and prior legal permission is required for demonstrations at any other location.