New Delhi: All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, who was released from Delhi Police custody on Saturday morning, expressed surprise on learning that Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was reportedly still in custody and demanded his immediate release.
Speaking to reporters shortly after her release, Bora initially said she had no clear information about Dipke’s whereabouts or detention status. When informed that he had reportedly not been released, she appeared surprised and called on Delhi Police to release him without further delay.
Her remarks came amid uncertainty over Dipke’s whereabouts following his detention ahead of the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest in Delhi on Friday.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, confirmed that legal proceedings had been initiated against Dipke and that he would be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court.
“Neha Bora was released after formal procedures under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act, while action under Section 126/170 of the BNSS was initiated against Abhijeet Dipke, who will be produced before the SEM court,” Delhi Police said in a statement.
Bora was released after spending several hours in police custody, during which AISA alleged that she had been moved between different locations across Delhi before being traced to the RK Puram police station.
The organization had claimed that lawyers who reached the police station around midnight were initially denied permission to meet her. It also alleged that the police had refused to provide her medicines despite being informed that she had been unwell for several days.
“The police is not allowing lawyers to meet Neha at RK Puram. They are not allowing medication to be given too,” AISA had said in a post on X.
“Why is Delhi Police holding Neha until midnight in a police station? When will Neha be released? Why is a women student leader being put in a police station at midnight?” the organization had asked.
Neha Bora questions overnight detentions
Bora criticized what she described as the increasing use of illegal detentions against citizens demanding accountability and protection of their voting rights.
She alleged that protesters associated with the ongoing movement were routinely being picked up by the police and detained for several hours, with some forced to spend the night in police stations before being released the following morning or evening.
According to Bora, such actions were intended to create fear among ordinary citizens and discourage them from participating in peaceful demonstrations.
She questioned why people raising concerns over democratic rights and electoral accountability were being subjected to prolonged detention.
Bora also demanded the immediate release of other detained protesters, arguing that citizens exercising their democratic rights should not be forced to spend nights in police custody.
CJP demands answers over Dipke’s whereabouts
Earlier, the CJP had alleged that Dipke was taken to an undisclosed location following his detention and that the organization had lost contact with him.
“The Delhi Police has taken Abhijeet Dipke to an undisclosed location. We have lost contact with him. He is not being allowed to talk to lawyers,” the CJP said in a post on X.
“Why does this government treat youth like terrorists? We are equal citizens of India and we deserve all the protections and rights of the Constitution!” it said.
“Abhijeet was just walking out of his home with a Tiranga in his hand! How can walking with a Tiranga be a crime?” the organization asked.
The CJP also approached Delhi Police in writing, seeking details of Dipke’s location, the grounds for his detention and the legal provisions invoked against him.
In a letter to the station house officer of Mandir Marg police station, CJP leader Rohan Deshpande said, “Since his detention, we have received no information regarding his present location or the police station or facility where he is being held. This lack of information is deeply concerning.”
The organization demanded that Dipke be allowed to contact his colleagues and have access to legal counsel.
Police sources said Dipke was detained at Jhandewalan while heading towards Connaught Place, while Bora was picked up at Mandi House.
Bora responds to Connaught Place traders’ concerns
Bora also addressed concerns raised by traders in Connaught Place, who have complained of business losses due to restrictions imposed during the protests, particularly during the festive shopping season.
Expressing solidarity with the traders, she said their livelihoods should not suffer because of the ongoing confrontation between protesters and the authorities.
She urged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP to abandon what she described as their arrogance and ensure the CEC’s resignation, arguing that this would prevent further hardship for traders.
Her remarks came amid criticism of the extensive security arrangements in central Delhi, where police had cordoned off Central Park in Connaught Place and deployed Rapid Action Force personnel and additional security forces.