Mumbai: The family of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke alleges that delays in his release prevented him from attending his grandmother’s funeral in Maharashtra. Delhi Police has disputed the allegation, saying he was informed of her death and offered travel assistance, which it claims he declined.
Dipke was detained along with CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka ahead of the outfit’s planned protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The three were placed under preventive arrest and released on Sunday after being produced before an executive magistrate. They were reportedly required to maintain peace for one year.
Family says repeated requests went unanswered
Dipke’s paternal grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, 85, died on Saturday in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district after a prolonged illness. Her last rites were held on Sunday morning.
A family member told reporters that the family repeatedly requested Dipke’s release so he could attend the funeral.
His uncle, Vilas Dipke, alleged that he pleaded with Delhi Police at least 10 times to release his nephew. He said Dipke was eventually released too late to attend the funeral and would instead be able to collect his grandmother’s ashes.
Delhi Police and family give conflicting accounts
Delhi Police said Dipke was promptly informed of his grandmother’s death and the scheduled funeral time. The police also claimed that he was offered assistance to travel to his hometown on humanitarian grounds, but declined it.
This account differs from allegations made by Dipke’s mother, who accused the police of lying and said her son had not been informed of the death.
The competing accounts have not been independently established by the information provided. The timing of the communication, the circumstances of Dipke’s detention and the requests made by his family remain central to the dispute.
Why the CJP leaders were detained
Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained from inside an aircraft on Saturday in connection with the CJP’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing procedural requirements and prohibitory orders in the New Delhi area.
The CJP and opposition parties have been demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
After his release, Dipke said he was returning to his village to be with his family during their bereavement. He also said that Das and Ranka would address a press conference in Delhi.
The CJP described the leaders’ release as a “major legal victory”. Meanwhile, the planned protest remained a point of contention amid extensive security arrangements in the capital.
Detention, family access and protest restrictions
The dispute raises questions about the circumstances surrounding Dipke’s detention and whether he had a meaningful opportunity to attend a close family member’s funeral. His family says repeated requests for release were unsuccessful until it was too late, while Delhi Police maintains that it informed him of the death and offered travel assistance.
Neither account should be treated as independently verified solely on the basis of the statements available. Establishing the sequence of events would require further evidence about when Dipke was informed, what assistance was offered and when his release was authorized.
The incident also unfolded amid a wider dispute over the CJP’s planned demonstration against the Election Commission. Police cited procedural requirements and prohibitory orders when denying permission, while the party continued to demand the CEC’s resignation over alleged voter-roll irregularities. The detention and release of its leaders have added another point of contention to the protest.