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CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke heads to Delhi amid leaders’ custody

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke heads to Delhi as co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are sent to five-day judicial custody.

Aaditya Thackeray backs CJP leaders, vows fight for democracy

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday backed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) after two of its leaders were sent to judicial custody, saying the fight to reclaim democracy would continue.

“Since when has holding the national flag by young Indians become a crime?” Thackeray asked in a post on X. He added, “The regime vs the patriotic young Indians fight shall go on till we reclaim democracy from this dictatorship!”

Earlier, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the Modi government over the detention of young protesters, saying peacefully waving the tricolour at Jantar Mantar was not a crime. He also asserted that “we will reclaim it”.

CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail on Wednesday for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, police said.

Their associate Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond and a Rs 5,000 surety, after being bound down to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months.

The three were detained after allegedly breaching barricades, raising slogans demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and erecting a national flag without authorisation.

Harvard scholars warn against attacks on India's institutions

A group of 44 Harvard scholars and professionals on Wednesday voiced concern over what they described as a campaign against India’s constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, Supreme Court and Parliament.

In a statement, the signatories said dissent was a democratic right, but accused those making unsubstantiated allegations against constitutional authorities of eroding public trust.

“We are deeply concerned by the negative public discourse and concerted campaign against India's constitutional institutions,” the statement said.

The group also flagged reports that Harvard University’s name had been used to lend credibility to a political campaign without proper authorisation.

The signatories said the actions of law enforcement agencies should face fair scrutiny, but argued that sweeping accusations could not replace evidence, due process or accountability.

“The Constitution, rule of law, and civil liberties must be respected at all times, not just when it suits our interests,” the statement said.

The signatories included lawyers, policymakers, civil servants, scientists and academics.

Rahul Gandhi says Kerala student lost hearing after alleged assault

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi claimed that a Kerala student had lost hearing in one ear after allegedly being assaulted during detention by Delhi Police.

“Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear. She can no longer hear. Last time I showed you a boy who was blinded. Now, she is deaf in one ear,” Rahul said at a press conference.

Athira, a Delhi University student from Kerala, alleged that there were no female police personnel on the bus when protesters were detained.

“Yesterday, when they detained us, there were no female police officers in the bus. So, I simply asked, 'Where is the lady police officer or lady constable?' If they want to detain us, having at least one female constable present is mandatory,” she said.

Athira further alleged that the bus stopped outside the Connaught Place police station, where she was repeatedly struck on the face.

“Then, the bus moved and stopped in front of the Connaught Place police station, where they continuously hit my entire cheek. Because of this, I have an injury to my eye and damage to my ear,” she alleged.

Rahul Gandhi vows action over alleged police brutality

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said protesters would preserve video evidence of alleged police action and vowed to hold those responsible accountable, naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing the issue, Rahul said the demonstration had brought people together beyond religious, caste and gender identities.

“As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one of any specific caste; there is no woman, no man. There is one voice, one protest,” he said.

Rahul accused the Prime Minister and Amit Shah of standing against the protesters’ voice. “It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice—the Prime Minister is standing against this voice. I suggest to you: do not stand against this voice. No one can stand against this voice,” he added.

He also said he had asked students to document their experiences and send the footage to the Congress.

“To the police personnel, I have told all the students to keep a video record and send that evidence to us. When this entire matter concludes, we will utilize all that evidence and ensure that everyone who needs to be punished is punished,” Rahul said.

He named Modi, Shah, Gyanesh Kumar and a constable accused of raising a hand against protesters, saying those found responsible should face punishment.

Rahul Gandhi alleges Delhi Police beat protesters

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi accused Delhi Police of beating protesters detained during the anti-CEC demonstration on October 10. He made the allegation at a joint press conference alongside protesters who said they had sustained injuries during the detention, reported India Today.

Rahul Gandhi urges protesters to preserve video evidence

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said he had asked protesters who alleged physical abuse during detention to record videos and preserve evidence.

“I have told the students to keep video records. Make videos and keep evidence and send them to us. When this issue is over, we will use it and hold everyone accountable,” Rahul said.

NSUI worker alleges assault by police during detention

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi presented protesters, including NSUI workers, during a press conference, where they alleged they had been beaten while in police custody.

A female NSUI worker accused a woman constable of dragging her to the Connaught Place Police Station. She alleged that women officers in civilian clothes assaulted her inside Room 107.

“They took us to the police station and in room 107, there were women officers in civilian clothing. I was beaten in the room and my legs have turned blue,” she said.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi moves SC challenging SIR

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the manner in which the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being conducted.

The top court agreed to hear the plea along with other pending petitions on the issue.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 10 prominent opposition leaders have also moved the top court against the alleged malpractices in SIR and other related processes.

Advocate Nizamuddin Pasha, appearing for Owaisi, urged a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi to list the petition alongside similar matters scheduled to be heard by the apex court on Thursday.

Referring to the petition, Pasha told the bench that the matter concerned the manner in which the SIR exercise was being conducted.

Responding to the request, the CJI-led bench indicated that it would examine the matter and the reference to similar petitions.

Dipke responds to Rahul’s post on CJP members' arrests