Abhijeet Dipke's Family Accuses Delhi Police of Delaying Release
The family of Abhijeet Dipke claims that the Delhi Police's inaction prevented him from attending his grandmother's funeral.
Abhijeet Dipke was detained prior to a protest and missed his grandmother's funeral.
His family alleges repeated requests for his release were ignored by the police.
Delhi Police stated they informed Dipke of his grandmother's death and offered travel assistance, which he declined.
On October 11, 2026, the family of Abhijeet Dipke, a leader of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), expressed their distress over his inability to attend his grandmother's funeral due to delays by the Delhi Police. Dipke, along with fellow CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, was detained ahead of a planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Despite the family's urgent requests for his release, he was only produced before a magistrate the following day, missing the funeral held on the same day.
Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, Dipke's grandmother, passed away at the age of 85 in Hingoli, Maharashtra, after a prolonged illness. Her last rites took place on the morning of October 11, 2026. Family members reported that they had made numerous pleas to the police to allow Dipke to attend the funeral, but their requests were allegedly ignored.
Vilas Dipke, Abhijeet's uncle, stated he had approached the police multiple times, pleading for his nephew's release. He expressed frustration that even after his eventual release, it was too late for Dipke to be present at the funeral. However, he noted that Dipke would still have the opportunity to collect his grandmother's ashes.
In response to the family's claims, the Delhi Police asserted that they had informed Dipke of his grandmother's passing and offered him assistance to travel home for the funeral. They emphasized that he declined this offer, contradicting the family's assertions that he was not informed. The police maintained that they acted with sensitivity in handling the situation.
The CJP has announced plans for a renewed protest at Jantar Mantar, coinciding with heavy police security measures in the capital. The party and various opposition groups continue to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in the voter roll revision process. The developments surrounding Dipke's detention and the ensuing controversy have added to the tensions in the political landscape ahead of the upcoming protests.
