Saurav Das, co-convenor of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), claimed Saturday that the Delhi Police were responsible for leaking his mobile number, resulting in a barrage of over 300 phone calls and WhatsApp messages within a short period. This alleged leak occurred just before a planned CJP demonstration in Delhi.
Protest Against Election Commission
The CJP had organized a protest at Jantar Mantar to voice concerns against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party alleges widespread voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and issues related to changes in Form 6, which is used for voter registration.
In a social media post, Das stated, "As part of what appears to be a coordinated campaign, my phone number has been leaked, and I have been bombarded with relentless phone calls (300+ and counting) and WhatsApp messages over the past hour alone." He further specified that the number was allegedly leaked when official documents, including an undertaking form from a previous protest and a letter rejecting permission for the latest demonstration, were circulated by the Delhi Police.
Criticism of Media and Detentions
Das also criticized certain media organizations for circulating these documents without redacting his personal contact information. "Special thanks to the ever-compliant media organisations...that couldn’t be bothered to redact my number before breathlessly circulating these documents on social media," he wrote.
Adding to the tensions, CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were reportedly detained by Delhi Police upon their arrival in the national capital from Mumbai. The party condemned these detentions, calling them a pre-planned effort to prevent leaders from reaching the protest venue and a violation of freedom of movement.
Sources indicated that Dipke, Das, and Ranka were held in separate custody. Alongside these detentions, approximately 400 other protestors were reportedly detained. In anticipation of the protest, Delhi Metro had closed 45 stations from Friday evening until Saturday evening for security reasons, with security personnel remaining on high alert across the New Delhi area.