Delhi Police tell High Court they will act against Dipke ahead of Connaught Place protest

Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court on Thursday that they would take “appropriate steps” against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, a day before the flag-waving protest he has called at Connaught Place.

The assurance came on a petition by Anil Kumar Gupta, a licensed vendor who sells readymade garments at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, where the CJP wants supporters to gather at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday. Senior advocate Sachin Puri, for Gupta, told the bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma that the site is not designated for protests and that an “illegal march” on a festival weekend would block the whole area. He asked for Dipke, who he said comes from outside Delhi, to be restrained.

When the bench noted the petitioner’s complaint that no action had been taken against Dipke, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, for the police, replied: “we will take.” He spoke of a “pattern of lawlessness” and the worries of about 15 lakh traders whose business could suffer. The court recorded his assurance that “all possible measures under the law will be taken” and listed the case for 3 November.

Friday’s plan

Dipke has asked people to come to Central Park with the national flag in protest at the jailing of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who are in Tihar after entering the de-notified Jantar Mantar site on Tuesday. “I urge all patriots who love the tricolour to come to Central Park, Connaught Place, at 5 pm on October 16,” he said. The Aam Aadmi Party has said it backs the protest.

Delhi Police were due to hold a high-level meeting on Thursday to settle security and traffic arrangements for Friday. Security personnel were seen putting up barricades along Connaught Place’s Outer Circle.