Cockroach Janta Party names Ajinkya Shinde to lead its Jantar Mantar protest after founder Abhijeet Dipke and two associates are detained at Delhi airport. (Abhijeet Dipke, Ajinkya Shinde)

NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday named its organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde to lead its protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi after founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, was detained by Delhi Police at the airport.The party shared a pre-recorded video of Dipke, which he had filmed on Friday night in anticipation of a possible arrest ahead of the proposed October 10 demonstration demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.Also read: CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka detained from Delhi airport ahead of Jantar Mantar protest“Until Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in detention, CJP’s Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will lead this protest at Jantar Mantar. Abhijeet had pre-recorded this video last night in anticipation of a potential arrest.”The development came as security was tightened across the national capital ahead of the CJP’s proposed protest. Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing law and order concerns and the possibility of inconvenience to residents.Dipke had earlier said he was prepared to face arrest while travelling to Delhi for the protest. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of using security restrictions to prevent people from joining the demonstration.

Security tightened across Delhi

At least 1500 people had been detained under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act as authorities stepped up security ahead of the planned demonstration.Traffic restrictions came into force at 6 am, with diversions planned at several locations across the city. Police personnel were deployed at barricades and key intersections to check vehicles and monitor movement around the protest site.

The Delhi Traffic Police warned of possible disruptions around Connaught Place, Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk and other major intersections in central Delhi.The affected stretches included the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gol Dak Khana and Windsor Place.In its communication to CJP, Delhi Police said the party’s intimation did not qualify as a duly filed application for permission. Police guidelines require applications for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar to be submitted at least 10 days in advance.Authorities also cited alleged past violations of protest conditions, including demonstrations continuing beyond the stipulated time limits.