Abhijeet Dipke not arrested; Saurav Das backtracks after claiming Dipke was detained; SP MP Dimple Yadav detained, PM leaves Parliament

As the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest march to Parliament remained stalled on Monday, the organisation said its spokespersons were on their way to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda after the Centre reached out to them. Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike and has been shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, appealed to join the protest march and reiterated the conditions under which he would end his fast.

Tension escalated at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where police used mild force to disperse protesters after the crowd allegedly became unruly following the arrival of Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) chief Chandrashekhar Azad's convoy. Some protesters allegedly pelted stones, prompting police action. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma denied allegations of a lathi-charge, maintaining that no Delhi Police personnel had used force against protesters. Protesters, however, claimed internet services had been disrupted at the site.

The Delhi Police have dismissed reports claiming that Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained or arrested during the protests near Parliament.

This came as CJP spokesperson Saurav Das initially posted claims that Dipke had been "picked up" by police during the 'Sansad Chalo' protest.

Refuting the claims, the Delhi Police said, "Misleading reports are currently circulating on various social media platforms claiming that Abhijit Dipke has been detained by the Delhi Police. It is formally clarified that these allegations are entirely false and he is available on stage."

Following the police statement, Saurav Das issued a retraction confirming that Dipke was neither detained nor placed under arrest.

"Dipke not in detention or arrest. A HUGE CROWD is still outside Kerala House," Saurav Das posted on X.

Tensions remained high in Delhi as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its supporters took part in the "Sansad Chalo" protest on Monday, calling for accountability from the government regarding the NEET-UG paper leak case.

As the protesters tried to advance towards Parliament House, they encountered a light police force intended to maintain law and order.

CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka presented their demands to Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday, stating that the Health Minister assured them that he would discuss the protestors' demands "internally" with the "leadership".

Several Opposition leaders and public figures, including TMC MP Mahua Moitra, actors Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi, as well as Aam Aadmi Party leaders, visited the protest venue in support of the students. According to police, nearly 8,000 protesters had gathered at Jantar Mantar.

The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar for over a month, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and other issues. The proposed march to Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session did not receive permission from the Delhi Police, which had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across much of New Delhi.

Heavy security remained in place around the protest site, with barricades erected on key approach roads, including Tolstoy Marg and the Kerala House side, while riot control vehicles and additional police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. In a public advisory on X, DCP Sachin Sharma clarified that "no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession."

Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 20 days, issued a handwritten note from Safdarjung Hospital outlining the conditions for ending his fast. He said he would call off the hunger strike if the government accepted responsibility for recent failures in the education system, including the NEET paper leak, or if Members of Parliament assured him that the issue would be raised during the Monsoon Session. If his health did not permit him to join the march, he said MPs could visit him at the hospital and provide the assurance there.

Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after being removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police on Saturday. He has alleged that he is being held under "illegal detention" at the hospital.

Amid the protest, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das claimed that the outfit's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, had been detained by the police.

"DIPKE HAS BEEN PICKED UP BY THE POLICE! WE REQUEST ALL MPs TO IMMEDIATELY STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENTS ON THE STREETS!" Das posted on X. The CJP later confirmed the development, stating, "CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has been picked up by the Police from Jantar Mantar."