The Cockroach Janta Party says its main leaders were held before a planned march to Jantar Mantar, as press freedom groups demand the release of reporters detained while covering the demonstration.
Police in Delhi have detained leaders of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ahead of a major protest the group had called in the capital. Ajinkya Shinde, who was handed responsibility for leading the demonstration after the arrests, urged supporters to keep marching towards Jantar Mantar. Journalists from several Indian outlets were also detained while covering events, though they were later released. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Delhi Police to free all detained media workers.
The protest and the detentions
The demonstration centres on allegations of voter-list manipulation. The CJP planned the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Critics say the process could have removed around 130 million voter entries. The Election Commission maintains that the exercise is a standard verification process and that eligible voters whose names were wrongly removed can re-enrol.
Delhi Police refused permission for the protest and blocked routes towards Jantar Mantar. They detained party leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka when they arrived at Delhi airport. Reports also described metro station closures and a temporary suspension of mobile internet services.
In a video posted by the CJP on X, Mr Shinde made his first statement as leader of the protest. “We appeal to everyone to march towards Jantar Mantar!” he said. “If Delhi Police tries to stop you, wherever they stop you will become your Jantar Mantar.”
Journalists held
Indian media outlets including Scroll and Newslaundry reported that their journalists had been detained by police while covering the protest. Reporters from The Quint and other organisations were also reportedly taken into custody, in some cases despite showing press identification. Media organisations said the journalists were later released.
Newslaundry reported that police seized its reporters’ phones, while other reports said journalists were physically assaulted.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent nonprofit that promotes press freedom, called on Delhi Police to release all detained journalists and media workers immediately. It also urged officers to return their equipment, investigate reports of physical abuse, and allow the press to cover the protests and the police response without interference.
India’s press freedom ranking
In the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India ranked 157th out of 180 countries, down six places from 151st in 2025. The organisation highlighted concerns about journalist safety, concentrated media ownership and legal pressure on reporting. Press freedom groups have also raised concerns about the use of criminal laws against journalists and the effect on independent journalism.
