Dipke’s family claims Delhi police delayed release, causing him to miss grandmother’s funeral

The family of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday (October 11, 2026) alleged that the Delhi Police did not release him despite repeated pleas so he could attend his grandmother’s funeral.

Mr. Dipke, along with CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, was detained and later placed under preventive arrest by the Delhi police ahead of the outfit’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the national capital on Saturday (October 11, 2026). The trio was produced before the executive magistrate on Sunday (October 12, 2026) and released on condition that they would not “breach peace” for a year.

The CJP founder’s paternal grandmother Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke (85) passed away in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district on Saturday (October 11, 2026) following a prolonged illness and her last rites were held on Sunday (October 11, 2026) morning.

“We requested the Delhi police multiple times to release Abhijeet after he lost his grandmother, but they did not release him,” a family member told reporters before the funeral.

Rejecting the claims, Abhijeet’s uncle Vilas Dipke alleged, “I pleaded with the Delhi police with folded hands at least 10 times to release Abhijeet so he could attend the funeral, as we were waiting for him. Though he was eventually released today, it was too late for him to attend.”

Vilas said his nephew would at least be able to remain present to collect his grandmother’s ashes.

The CJP has renewed its call for a protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday (October 12, 2026) as police continued their heavy security arrangements, with over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel to be deployed in the capital.

The CJP and Opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.

Informed Dipke of grandmother’s death, says Delhi police

Delhi Police said Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke was informed of his grandmother’s death with due sensitivity and offered assistance to travel to his hometown for the funeral, but he declined the offer.

The police response came after Dipke’s mother accused the Delhi Police of lying, alleging that her son had not been informed about his grandmother’s demise, claiming he was unreachable.

In its response, Delhi Police said the information regarding his grandmother’s death was promptly conveyed to Dipke, who was also informed of the scheduled funeral time.

“He was also offered all possible assistance to facilitate his travel to his hometown on humanitarian grounds; however, he declined to avail the same,” the police said.