‘Delhi Police mentally tortured me and my family’: CJP's Abhijeet Dipke

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) member Abhijeet Dipke on Monday accused the Delhi Police of subjecting him and his family to mental torture during his recent preventive detention, alleging that officers used his grandmother's death to pressure him into signing arrest-related documents.

Recounting his experience in custody, Dipke claimed that police personnel approached him at around 3.30 am and told him that his grandmother had died. He alleged that they asked him to sign an arrest paper and contact his parents, but he refused to sign the document.

Dipke also alleged that he, his family and his lawyers were not informed about his whereabouts throughout the day.

“They kept me in custody all day; they didn't tell me where I was kept, what police station I was in, or what part of the country I was in,” Dipke told reporters.

He questioned why the police had not informed his family about his location, alleging that the late-night request to contact his parents was intended to cause them distress.

Dipke further claimed that the police had asked him to sign a document stating that he had disturbed public peace by protesting. He said he refused to sign it without consulting his lawyer.

“You cannot trap me like this. I am an educated person; I will not sign any paper until my lawyer arrives,” he said.

The CJP member also criticised the Centre, alleging that government agencies were being misused to suppress democratic rights and protect Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Dipke claimed that journalists, students and opposition MPs had faced police action in connection with protests against Kumar. He also referred to alleged police action against CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas.

Accusing the government of authoritarianism, Dipke said the CJP would continue its agitation even if its members faced prolonged detention. He invoked Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar, saying the party would continue its fight against what he described as a dictatorship.

Meanwhile, a Delhi Executive Magistrate court ordered the release of three CJP members — Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka who had been taken into preventive custody ahead of a planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

As a condition of their release, the three were directed not to engage in any activity that could breach peace and tranquillity for the next year, according to their advocate.