Detentions and policing of the 'Cockroach Janta Party' protests in Delhi and the right to protest
Police in Delhi detained many people at protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and others in October 2026. Courts are now looking at whether the detentions, the curbs and the end of Jantar Mantar as a protest site follow the right to protest.
Written by Orbit, our AI, from public sources. The team has not checked it yet. Every claim links to its source.
What happened?
The CJP held protests in Delhi, asking the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, to resign. On 2026-10-10, CJP says its founder and leaders were detained, with hundreds of followers. Police imposed curbs, including metro closures and limits on mobile internet. On 2026-10-13, three CJP leaders entered Jantar Mantar and were detained.
Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution gives the right to assemble peacefully without arms. Article 19(2) and 19(3) allow reasonable limits, including for public order. Delhi Police say they acted against people who broke orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which lets authorities restrict gatherings.
CJP leaders and volunteers were detained. Two leaders went to judicial custody. A petition by MP Manoj Jha claims over 6,000 people were detained. This is a claim, and no police count was found. Lawyers and journalists also say they were stopped or hurt. Police say professionals were not stopped from doing their duties. Police also say commuters were stranded.
On 2026-10-09, the Supreme Court asked the government to consider another venue for protests. On 2026-10-11, it directed that nobody be detained except by the legal procedure. Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court that Jantar Mantar was removed as a protest site after the Supreme Court's directions. Police named three new sites.
Several petitions in the Supreme Court ask if the 2026-10-10 detentions and curbs were lawful. Contempt pleas claim the 2026-10-09 order was broken. Police ask the Court to discharge the contempt notice. The Delhi High Court is hearing a plea against the denial of permission at Jantar Mantar, with the next hearing in November. The result of the 2026-10-15 Supreme Court hearing was not found.
Established: CJP protests took place in Delhi from early October 2026. Police detained many people on 2026-10-10 and 2026-10-13. The Supreme Court on 2026-10-09 asked the government to consider another venue. On 2026-10-11 it directed that no one be detained except by legal procedure. Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Claimed by one side: Delhi Police say permission was not sought, the curbs were in proportion to the risks, and Jantar Mantar was removed after the Supreme Court's order. Claimed by the other side: CJP and opposition leaders say the detentions and jailings were wrong. A petition says over 6,000 were detained. Sources conflict on the number of metro stations closed, the internet curbs and the date of the denotification. Not yet decided: whether the detentions, the curbs and the Jantar Mantar denotification are lawful. The contempt pleas and the Delhi High Court case are also pending. The 2026-10-15 hearing result was not found.
What the law or the rule says, in plain words. This page says what the law says, not who is right.
Court has decidedArticle 19(1)(b)
Right to assemble and protest places
Article 19(1)(b) gives people the right to assemble peacefully without arms. In 2018, the Supreme Court held that places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club cannot have a complete ban on protests. It also said no one can claim a right to protest at one particular place. In 2020 (Shaheen Bagh), it said public roads cannot be occupied for long.
Pending in courtSection 163, BNSS
Section 163 order on gatherings
Delhi Police say they acted against people who broke orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. Police say notices were displayed in the designated areas. MP Manoj Jha's petition says this order was illegal. The exact text of the section was not checked. Petitions on the 2026-10-10 curbs are in the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court orders of 2026-10-09 and 2026-10-11
On 2026-10-09, the Court said the competent authority should consider another venue and take a suitable decision. On 2026-10-11, it directed that no person be detained except by the procedure in law. This applies especially to peaceful, unarmed gatherings outside the area covered by Section 163 orders.
The Cockroach Janta Party was founded by Abhijeet Dipke.
Protests began on this day and the next two. Delhi Police say they disrupted traffic and led to clashes. This is their claim in an affidavit.
The Supreme Court asked the government to consider another venue for peaceful protests instead of Jantar Mantar.
CJP says its leaders and hundreds of followers were detained. Police list 45 metro station closures and mobile internet limits.
Dipke and two others were released on a one-year "no breach of peace" condition. The Supreme Court issued notice in contempt pleas.
Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar was no longer an official protest site, with three new venues.
About 20 volunteers, including three CJP leaders, entered Jantar Mantar and were detained. Reuters says about a dozen.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond.
The Supreme Court listed the contempt matters and pleas on the protests. The outcome was not found.
Swipe through the issue, one card at a time.
1 of 16
What happened?
The CJP held protests in Delhi, asking the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, to resign. On 2026-10-10, CJP says its founder and leaders were detained, with hundreds of followers. Police imposed curbs, including metro closures and limits on mobile internet. On 2026-10-13, three CJP leaders entered Jantar Mantar and were detained.
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What does the law or rule say?
Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution gives the right to assemble peacefully without arms. Article 19(2) and 19(3) allow reasonable limits, including for public order. Delhi Police say they acted against people who broke orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which lets authorities restrict gatherings.
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Who is affected?
CJP leaders and volunteers were detained. Two leaders went to judicial custody. A petition by MP Manoj Jha claims over 6,000 people were detained. This is a claim, and no police count was found. Lawyers and journalists also say they were stopped or hurt. Police say professionals were not stopped from doing their duties. Police also say commuters were stranded.
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What have the courts and government said so far?
On 2026-10-09, the Supreme Court asked the government to consider another venue for protests. On 2026-10-11, it directed that nobody be detained except by the legal procedure. Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court that Jantar Mantar was removed as a protest site after the Supreme Court's directions. Police named three new sites.
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What is still undecided?
Several petitions in the Supreme Court ask if the 2026-10-10 detentions and curbs were lawful. Contempt pleas claim the 2026-10-09 order was broken. Police ask the Court to discharge the contempt notice. The Delhi High Court is hearing a plea against the denial of permission at Jantar Mantar, with the next hearing in November. The result of the 2026-10-15 Supreme Court hearing was not found.
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Facts and figures
People detained, as claimed in MP Manoj Jha's petition: Over 6,000 (no official count found)
Train cancellations cited in the petition: 250
Metro stations closed on 2026-10-10 (petition and police affidavit): 45
Metro station closures in the contempt pleas: 12
Judicial custody for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka: 5 days
Condition on Dipke and two other leaders: No breach of peace for 1 year
New protest sites named by police: 3
Volunteers who entered Jantar Mantar on 2026-10-13: About 20 (Al Jazeera); about 12 (Reuters)
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Supporters argue
Delhi Police and the government side say prior permission was needed and not sought, and that their steps were in proportion to the risks.
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Critics argue
CJP and opposition leaders say the detentions and jailings were wrong and that the protests were peaceful.
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Constitutional lens
Petitioners say Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) were curbed. The state's side relies on reasonable limits and the Shaheen Bagh ruling.
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Economic lens
Police say the protests left commuters stranded in central Delhi. Petitioners say the curbs harmed residents too.
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Argued benefit for India
Supporters of the curbs say they protect public order, free movement and access to courts.
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Argued risk for India
Critics say the curbs could weaken the right to dissent. Reuters says the jailing risks more youth protests.
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Right to assemble and protest places
Article 19(1)(b) gives people the right to assemble peacefully without arms. In 2018, the Supreme Court held that places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club cannot have a complete ban on protests. It also said no one can claim a right to protest at one particular place. In 2020 (Shaheen Bagh), it said public roads cannot be occupied for long.
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Section 163 order on gatherings
Delhi Police say they acted against people who broke orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. Police say notices were displayed in the designated areas. MP Manoj Jha's petition says this order was illegal. The exact text of the section was not checked. Petitions on the 2026-10-10 curbs are in the Supreme Court.
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Supreme Court orders of 2026-10-09 and 2026-10-11
On 2026-10-09, the Court said the competent authority should consider another venue and take a suitable decision. On 2026-10-11, it directed that no person be detained except by the procedure in law. This applies especially to peaceful, unarmed gatherings outside the area covered by Section 163 orders.
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What the sources show
Established: CJP protests took place in Delhi from early October 2026. Police detained many people on 2026-10-10 and 2026-10-13. The Supreme Court on 2026-10-09 asked the government to consider another venue. On 2026-10-11 it directed that no one be detained except by legal procedure. Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Claimed by one side: Delhi Police say permission was not sought, the curbs were in proportion to the risks, and Jantar Mantar was removed after the Supreme Court's order. Claimed by the other side: CJP and opposition leaders say the detentions and jailings were wrong. A petition says over 6,000 were detained. Sources conflict on the number of metro stations closed, the internet curbs and the date of the denotification. Not yet decided: whether the detentions, the curbs and the Jantar Mantar denotification are lawful. The contempt pleas and the Delhi High Court case are also pending. The 2026-10-15 hearing result was not found.
Making a reel on this? Everything you need in one place: the summary, the timeline, the facts and the sources.
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Detentions and policing of the 'Cockroach Janta Party' protests in Delhi and the right to protest
Police in Delhi detained many people at protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and others in October 2026. Courts are now looking at whether the detentions, the curbs and the end of Jantar Mantar as a protest site follow the right to protest.
TIMELINE
2026-05-16: The Cockroach Janta Party was founded by Abhijeet Dipke.
2026-10-06: Protests began on this day and the next two. Delhi Police say they disrupted traffic and led to clashes. This is their claim in an affidavit.
2026-10-09: The Supreme Court asked the government to consider another venue for peaceful protests instead of Jantar Mantar.
2026-10-10: CJP says its leaders and hundreds of followers were detained. Police list 45 metro station closures and mobile internet limits.
2026-10-11: Dipke and two others were released on a one-year "no breach of peace" condition. The Supreme Court issued notice in contempt pleas.
2026-10-12: Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar was no longer an official protest site, with three new venues.
2026-10-13: About 20 volunteers, including three CJP leaders, entered Jantar Mantar and were detained. Reuters says about a dozen.
2026-10-14: Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond.
2026-10-15: The Supreme Court listed the contempt matters and pleas on the protests. The outcome was not found.
THE BASICS
What happened? The CJP held protests in Delhi, asking the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, to resign. On 2026-10-10, CJP says its founder and leaders were detained, with hundreds of followers. Police imposed curbs, including metro closures and limits on mobile internet. On 2026-10-13, three CJP leaders entered Jantar Mantar and were detained.
What does the law or rule say? Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution gives the right to assemble peacefully without arms. Article 19(2) and 19(3) allow reasonable limits, including for public order. Delhi Police say they acted against people who broke orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which lets authorities restrict gatherings.
Who is affected? CJP leaders and volunteers were detained. Two leaders went to judicial custody. A petition by MP Manoj Jha claims over 6,000 people were detained. This is a claim, and no police count was found. Lawyers and journalists also say they were stopped or hurt. Police say professionals were not stopped from doing their duties. Police also say commuters were stranded.
What have the courts and government said so far? On 2026-10-09, the Supreme Court asked the government to consider another venue for protests. On 2026-10-11, it directed that nobody be detained except by the legal procedure. Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court that Jantar Mantar was removed as a protest site after the Supreme Court's directions. Police named three new sites.
What is still undecided? Several petitions in the Supreme Court ask if the 2026-10-10 detentions and curbs were lawful. Contempt pleas claim the 2026-10-09 order was broken. Police ask the Court to discharge the contempt notice. The Delhi High Court is hearing a plea against the denial of permission at Jantar Mantar, with the next hearing in November. The result of the 2026-10-15 Supreme Court hearing was not found.
FACTS AND FIGURES
People detained, as claimed in MP Manoj Jha's petition: Over 6,000 (no official count found) (RJD MP Manoj Jha Moves Supreme Court Against Delhi Police Actions During Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar)
Train cancellations cited in the petition: 250 (RJD MP Manoj Jha Moves Supreme Court Against Delhi Police Actions During Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar)
Metro stations closed on 2026-10-10 (petition and police affidavit): 45 (RJD MP Manoj Jha Moves Supreme Court Against Delhi Police Actions During Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar)
Metro station closures in the contempt pleas: 12 (Supreme Court: Delhi Police Counter-Affidavit Defends October 10 Curbs, Says CJP Ignored Prior Permission Requirement -)
Judicial custody for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka: 5 days (Cockroach party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka jailed for 5 days, put in separate cells in Tihar)
Condition on Dipke and two other leaders: No breach of peace for 1 year (India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement founder and leaders released from detention after Delhi protest crackdown)
New protest sites named by police: 3 (Police detain leaders of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement at New Delhi protest)
Volunteers who entered Jantar Mantar on 2026-10-13: About 20 (Al Jazeera); about 12 (Reuters) (Police detain leaders of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement at New Delhi protest)
PERSPECTIVES
Supporters argue: Delhi Police and the government side say prior permission was needed and not sought, and that their steps were in proportion to the risks.
- Police say CJP organisers ignored the need for permission.
- Police say they acted on intelligence inputs and earlier incidents.
- Police say Jantar Mantar was removed after the Supreme Court's order.
- Police say three other sites are available.
Critics argue: CJP and opposition leaders say the detentions and jailings were wrong and that the protests were peaceful.
- CJP lawyer Abhisht Hela says the leaders were jailed for a slogan and a flag.
- Rahul Gandhi called the arrests "an act of cowardice".
- Manoj Jha's petition says police were partisan.
- Lawyers' bodies ask for an independent inquiry.
Constitutional lens: Petitioners say Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) were curbed. The state's side relies on reasonable limits and the Shaheen Bagh ruling.
- Petitioners cite the 2018 ruling against a blanket ban.
- The state cites the 2020 ruling that protests belong at designated places.
- The Chief Justice of India (CJI) noted that Jantar Mantar lacks toilets and has government homes nearby.
Economic lens: Police say the protests left commuters stranded in central Delhi. Petitioners say the curbs harmed residents too.
- Police told the Court that commuters were stranded.
- The petition cites reports of 250 train cancellations.
- The petition cites 45 metro stations closed on 2026-10-10.
- No rupee figures were found.
Argued benefit for India: Supporters of the curbs say they protect public order, free movement and access to courts.
- Police say the curbs stopped violence.
- Lawyers' bodies seek safeguards so lawyers can reach courts.
- Police say new sites can host protests.
Argued risk for India: Critics say the curbs could weaken the right to dissent. Reuters says the jailing risks more youth protests.
- A rights statement says peaceful protest is protected by international human rights law.
- Critics say the detentions reached lawyers and journalists.
- Reuters says the jailing risks more youth protests.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Right to assemble and protest places (Article 19(1)(b)): Article 19(1)(b) gives people the right to assemble peacefully without arms. In 2018, the Supreme Court held that places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club cannot have a complete ban on protests. It also said no one can claim a right to protest at one particular place. In 2020 (Shaheen Bagh), it said public roads cannot be occupied for long.
Section 163 order on gatherings (Section 163, BNSS): Delhi Police say they acted against people who broke orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. Police say notices were displayed in the designated areas. MP Manoj Jha's petition says this order was illegal. The exact text of the section was not checked. Petitions on the 2026-10-10 curbs are in the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court orders of 2026-10-09 and 2026-10-11: On 2026-10-09, the Court said the competent authority should consider another venue and take a suitable decision. On 2026-10-11, it directed that no person be detained except by the procedure in law. This applies especially to peaceful, unarmed gatherings outside the area covered by Section 163 orders.
WHAT THE SOURCES SHOW
Established: CJP protests took place in Delhi from early October 2026. Police detained many people on 2026-10-10 and 2026-10-13. The Supreme Court on 2026-10-09 asked the government to consider another venue. On 2026-10-11 it directed that no one be detained except by legal procedure. Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody. Claimed by one side: Delhi Police say permission was not sought, the curbs were in proportion to the risks, and Jantar Mantar was removed after the Supreme Court's order. Claimed by the other side: CJP and opposition leaders say the detentions and jailings were wrong. A petition says over 6,000 were detained. Sources conflict on the number of metro stations closed, the internet curbs and the date of the denotification. Not yet decided: whether the detentions, the curbs and the Jantar Mantar denotification are lawful. The contempt pleas and the Delhi High Court case are also pending. The 2026-10-15 hearing result was not found.
SOURCES
Police detain leaders of India’s ‘cockroach’ movement at New Delhi protest - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/13/police-detain-leaders-of-indias-cockroach-movement-at-new-delhi-protest
India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement founder and leaders released from detention after Delhi protest crackdown - https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/09/india/india-cockroach-party-protests-season-2-intl-hnk
Delhi Police affidavit in SC details security for Oct 10 protest - https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india/delhi-police-affidavit-in-sc-details-security-for-oct-10-protest-articleshow-zoqpyw4
Delhi Police Tells HC: Jantar Mantar Dropped as Protest Site After SC Order - https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/jantar-mantar-removed-as-designated-protest-site-after-sc-order-delhi-police-to-delhi-hc-1995546
Delhi Police files SC affidavit on October 10 protest security - https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/delhi-police-files-sc-affidavit-on-october-protest-security-69328.html
Intelligence Inputs Flagged CJP’s Possible Entry From Multiple States, Centre Tells Police - Oneindia News - https://www.oneindia.com/india/intelligence-inputs-flagged-cjp-s-possible-entry-from-multiple-states-centre-tells-police-8235777.html
Supreme Court Adjourns Delhi Protest Matter To October 15 - https://www.livelaw.in/amp/top-stories/supreme-court-delhi-protests-against-cec-gyanesh-kumar-election-commission-sir-adjourned-to-october-15-justice-mohana-unwell-554413
RJD MP Manoj Jha Moves Supreme Court Against Delhi Police Actions During Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar - https://www.livelaw.in/amp/top-stories/supreme-court-manoj-jha-urgent-plea-delhi-police-cec-gyanesh-kumar-eci-protest-disproportionate-force-sexual-harassment-metro-train-closure-554113
SC asks Centre to consider alternative venue to Jantar Mantar for protests in Delhi - https://theprint.in/india/sc-asks-centre-to-consider-alternative-venue-to-jantar-mantar-for-protests-in-delhi/3066947/
'Jantar Mantar Denotified as Protest Site Based on Supreme Court Orders', Delhi Police Informs High Court - https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/news/jantar-mantar-denotified-as-protest-site-based-on-supreme-court-orders-delhi-police-informs-high-court-10332641
Supreme Court: Delhi Police Counter-Affidavit Defends October 10 Curbs, Says CJP Ignored Prior Permission Requirement - - https://lawchakra.in/supreme-court/delhi-police-affidavit/
Supreme Court To Hear Pleas On Delhi Protest Crackdown, Rahul Gandhi's Plea Against ECI's SIR Today - https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-to-hear-pleas-on-delhi-protest-crackdown-rahul-gandhis-plea-against-ecis-sir-today-554719
‘Cockroach’ movement leaders jailed for five days after scaling barricades - https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41924140.html
Cockroach party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka jailed for 5 days, put in separate cells in Tihar - https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2026/10/14/cockroach-party-leaders-saurav-das-and-ashutosh-ranka-jailed-for-5-days-put-in-separate-cells-in-tihar
holding protest acceptable 683120 - https://www.deccanherald.com/india/holding-protest-acceptable-683120.html
you strangulated the city now want to come inside sc on kisan mahapanchayats plea to stage satyagraha at jantar mantar 1 - https://www.deccanherald.com/india/you-strangulated-the-city-now-want-to-come-inside-sc-on-kisan-mahapanchayats-plea-to-stage-satyagraha-at-jantar-mantar-1036114.html
India's 'cockroach' movement leaders detained in jail for five days, party says - https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/indias-cockroach-movement-leaders-detained-032941497.html
More: https://socialwire.in/issues/detentions-and-policing-of-the-cockroach-janta-party-protest
Dhruv Rathee
Lakhshya Lakey
Raghav Trivedi
