The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which emerged from protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, is now at the centre of a fresh confrontation with authorities over its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The party demands immediate release of its leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, whose judicial custody has been extended, while founder Abhijeet Dipke continues to mobilise support and challenge restrictions on demonstrations in Delhi.
CJP leaders' custody extended by two days
Ranka and Das were detained on October 13 after allegedly scaling the locked gates of Jantar Mantar while waving the national flag, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site. They were subsequently sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14.
On October 19, a Special Executive Magistrate extended their judicial custody by another two days. They are expected to be produced before the magistrate again on Wednesday, October 21.
CJP has challenged the proceedings, alleging that authorities are using legal procedures to keep its leaders in custody. The party's legal affairs head, Ratna Singh, questioned the rejection of sureties and described the proceedings as a misuse of the law.
Dipke has publicly backed the detained leaders. In a message shared on social media, he highlighted the careers and financial security they had left behind to join the movement, describing their decision to campaign for people beyond their immediate circles as a defining feature of their activism. He has also said the party would challenge the custody extension before higher judicial forums.
Dipke's detention and the October 16 protest
The latest developments follow a series of confrontations between CJP and Delhi Police over planned demonstrations against Gyanesh Kumar.
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On October 10, Dipke, Das and Ranka were detained from an aircraft after it landed in Delhi, ahead of a planned protest demanding the CEC's resignation. They were released on October 11 by an Executive Magistrate, subject to a condition that they maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.
CJP subsequently announced a fresh demonstration, titled Lehra Do Tiranga, at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16 after the arrest of Ranka and Das. Authorities barred the planned rally, and Dipke was served a notice. He was detained again amid the preparations for the demonstration and later released.
The restrictions have not prompted the party to abandon its campaign. Instead, CJP has continued to challenge the curbs on protests and the detention of its members, while Dipke has used social media to rally support for the movement.
From NEET protests to electoral-roll revision
CJP's current campaign marks a shift from the issue that initially propelled the group into the national spotlight.
Founded by Dipke in May 2026, the youth-led outfit initially mobilised around alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and demands for accountability in the education system. Its protests targeted then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with the movement growing from an online identity into a broader campaign. It subsequently led to Pradhan’s resignation.
The party has since expanded its demands to include the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's SIR exercise. Dipke has called for Kumar's resignation and argued for a more transparent process for appointing future chief election commissioners.