Delhi Police detained approximately 200 people from Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas on Saturday, 10 October 2026, as supporters gathered for a Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Security across the national capital was placed on high alert, with mass pre-emptive detentions beginning hours before the scheduled protest.

Leaders Detained at Airport

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and party spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained even before they could leave the aircraft at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport after their flight landed. Delhi Police personnel boarded the plane to detain the trio, an unusually aggressive enforcement step that drew immediate attention. Dipke filmed the moment and shared it on social media, and was heard telling officers: '...I have come here to be arrested; arrest me.'

The CJP publicly confirmed the detentions in a post on its social media handle, announcing: 'Abhijeet Dipke DETAINED! Saurav Das DETAINED! Ashutosh Ranka DETAINED!'

Dhruv Rathee Among Those Taken Into Custody

Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also taken into custody from his residence in Gurugram. According to posts on the CJP's X handle, around 50 police personnel in plain clothes reached Rathee's home at approximately 8 am and detained him. His detention drew significant online reaction given his large following and public profile.

Security Blanketing Delhi

Authorities deployed a sweeping array of security measures across the city. Vehicles were subjected to checks at Delhi's border entry points, and police personnel were equipped with body cameras to record all incidents. Drone surveillance was launched over key locations, including New Delhi Railway Station, where Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were also stationed.

Several Delhi Metro stations — including Supreme Court and Mandi House — were closed as part of the security cordon. Security was also reinforced at the official residences of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Context and Stakes

The CJP protest was directed specifically at Chief Election Commissioner Kumar, whose tenure has been scrutinised by opposition groups and civil society organisations over election administration concerns. The scale of the pre-emptive police action — including boarding a commercial aircraft to detain political organisers — is notable. This comes amid broader tensions over the independence and functioning of the Election Commission of India, a debate that has intensified in recent years. The mass detentions mark one of the most visible pre-emptive crackdowns on a planned political demonstration in the capital in recent memory.

As the situation at Jantar Mantar continues to unfold, the legality of the detentions and the scope of restrictions imposed are expected to face scrutiny from civil liberties groups and political opponents alike.