New Delhi: In a heartbreaking development on a day marked by his detention in the national capital, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke's paternal grandmother, Savitribai Dipke, died at the age of 85 on Saturday.

She passed away at the family's native village of Santuk Pimpri in Maharashtra's Hingoli district, following an illness that had reportedly persisted for several days, according to reports by ETV Bharat and Maharashtra Times.

The news of her death emerged just hours after Dipke was detained by Delhi Police from inside an aircraft shortly after it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

He had travelled from Mumbai to Delhi along with fellow CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to participate in the party's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

The protest was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration and detained the three leaders upon their arrival in the capital. 

Dipke's parents to leave for Hingoli

Dipke's parents, Bhagwan Dipke and Anita, were in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar when news of Savitribai's death emerged. Family sources said they would leave for Hingoli following the tragedy.

With Dipke still in Delhi Police custody, it remains unclear whether he has been informed of his grandmother's passing. It is also uncertain whether he will be able to travel to Maharashtra to be with his family.

Reports have indicated that arrangements for his travel to Sambhajinagar may be considered after he is informed of the loss. However, no confirmed information about his release or travel arrangements was available at the time of writing.

Detention amid proposed CJP protest

Dipke's detention came amid heightened security in Delhi ahead of the CJP's planned protest against the CEC. The party's leaders had travelled to the capital despite the denial of permission for the gathering.

The detention of Dipke, Das and Ranka from inside their aircraft drew attention after footage of the incident circulated online.

The development was followed by news of the death in Dipke's family, adding a deeply personal tragedy to an already difficult day for the CJP founder.

Dipke continues to remain detained as the family prepares to travel to Hingoli for the last rites of Savitribai Dipke.