Delhi Police releases video of Dipke hearing of grandmother’s death; CJP leader alleges phone denial

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has released a video showing a female officer informing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke of his grandmother’s death while he was in detention in the national capital.

“Sir, I want to share some information... it is unfortunate news... we are very sorry for that. Your grandmother has died,” the officer tells Dipke in the video.

Dipke, who had planned to lead a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, remains silent after hearing the news. He lowers his head and places both hands on it before responding after a few tense seconds: “I see.”

A male officer then offers to arrange transport if Dipke wishes to attend his grandmother’s funeral.

“Sir, if you have made up your mind to attend your grandmother’s funeral, we would arrange for whatever transportation you want,” the officer says.

When asked whether he would stay or leave, Dipke repeatedly says he will stay. The officer also offers to help him contact his relatives through an official phone number. Dipke responds that he cannot remember any phone numbers.

After being told that the funeral would take place the following day, Dipke says he would not be able to attend.

The CJP founder was released from detention on Monday and left for his hometown in Maharashtra to attend his grandmother’s last rites.

The police released the video to counter claims that Dipke had not been informed of his grandmother’s death. According to the police, the news was conveyed sensitively and assistance was offered to facilitate his travel home, but he declined the offer.

Dipke alleges denial of phone access

Reacting to the video, Dipke alleged that the police had not allowed him to speak to his cousin, who lives with his grandmother. He also claimed that his requests to use his phone and speak to a lawyer were denied.

“I had requested to let me speak to my cousin who lives with my grandmother. Asked for my phone just for a couple of minutes so I could at least take out the number of my cousin. Why didn’t Delhi Police let me use my phone? I had also asked for a call with a lawyer, which was again denied,” he wrote on X.

Dipke further alleged that the police had asked him to call his father at 3.30 am and inform him that he would be sent to jail for a long time.

“At 3:30 in the morning, Delhi Police asked me to call my father and inform him that tomorrow I’ll be going to jail for a long time. The same father who has just lost his mother. How much more trauma did you want to put my family through after we already lost my grandmother?” he alleged.

CJP leaders detained at Delhi airport

Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who have been at the forefront of the pressure group, were taken into preventive detention from an aircraft after it landed in Delhi on Saturday. They were travelling to the capital to lead the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.

The three were among around 3,000 CJP supporters and Opposition leaders detained as the Delhi Police moved to prevent the agitation. All those detained were subsequently released.

The CJP has vowed to continue its protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.