Brief
CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke detained before Delhi flag rally, lawyer questions legality
Lawyer Ratna Singh says the detention violates due process after police cite prohibitory orders under the BNSS.
By Felo News Desk · Published
New Delhi – Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke was detained by Delhi Police on Friday, October 16, ahead of the planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally at Central Park in Connaught Place, Gulf News reported.
According to the report, police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restrict public gatherings in the area. Dipke was served a notice stating that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site and that the New Delhi Municipal Council had not granted permission for the proposed Tiranga Yatra. The notice warned that organising the march or assembling a crowd could breach the restrictions.
During an interaction with police at his residence, Dipke asked which law he had violated. Police clarified that waving the national flag was not prohibited, but an unauthorised procession or gathering in violation of the prohibitory orders could invite legal action. They also referred to the Flag Code concerning respectful display of the Tricolour.
Advocate Ratna Singh, head of CJP’s legal affairs, announced on X that Dipke would be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at Mandir Marg Police Station around noon on Saturday, October 17. Singh questioned the legality of the detention, alleging violations of due process and fundamental rights. She said Dipke’s whereabouts had not been disclosed after his arrest and that his lawyers had been unable to meet him.
In a separate X post, Singh urged the SEM Court to release Dipke, arguing that he had merely called on people to unfurl the national flag. “The SEM Court should release Abhijeet Dipke, as his arrest is unlawful. He merely urged people to unfurl the Tiranga — how can that by itself be a crime?” she wrote, adding that Delhi Police could not carry out unlawful acts under the guise of preventive detention.
Police also registered multiple first information reports (FIRs) on Saturday over alleged violations of the prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and other parts of New Delhi during Friday’s protests, officials said.
Key facts
- Abhijeet Dipke was detained by Delhi Police on October 16 ahead of a flag‑waving rally. (gulfnews.com)
- Police cited Section 163 of the BNSS to impose prohibitory orders on public gatherings in Connaught Place. (gulfnews.com)
- Lawyer Ratna Singh said Dipke would be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate on October 17. (gulfnews.com)
- Singh argued the arrest violated due process and that waving the flag is not prohibited. (gulfnews.com)
- Multiple FIRs were filed on Saturday for alleged breaches of the prohibitory orders. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “CJP Activist Abhijeet Dipke Detained Ahead of Tiranga Rally, Lawyer Challenges Police Action”
