Abhijeet Dipke Raises Questions Over Access to Lawyer, Phone While in Police Custody

Abhijeet Dipke Alleges Delhi Police Denied Phone and Lawyer Access After Grandmother’s Death

New Delhi, October 11, 2026: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the Delhi Police of denying him access to his mobile phone and a lawyer after he was informed of his grandmother’s death while in detention.

Dipke’s allegations came after the Delhi Police released a video showing officers informing him about the death of his 85-year-old grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, who passed away in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district on Saturday.

According to reports, Dipke disputed the police version of events, claiming that he repeatedly requested permission to use his phone to retrieve his cousin’s contact number and speak to a lawyer. He alleged that his requests were denied, preventing him from contacting his family directly during the difficult time.

Dipke also questioned the police decision to ask him to contact his parents at around 3:30 am, arguing that the timing caused unnecessary distress to his family.

Delhi Police Rejects Allegations

The Delhi Police, however, maintained that Dipke had been informed about his grandmother’s death and offered assistance to travel to his hometown for the last rites. Police officials said he had declined the assistance offered to him.

The police video has added another dimension to the dispute, with Dipke challenging the official account and alleging that he was not given access to his phone to contact relatives.

The controversy has raised questions about communication with family members and access to legal assistance during detention. However, the allegations made by Dipke and the police’s account remain disputed.

Background: CJP Protest in Delhi

Dipke, along with fellow CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, was detained by Delhi Police ahead of the party’s planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The CJP has been demanding accountability over the voter-roll revision process and has called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Dipke was subsequently released and left Delhi for Maharashtra to be with his family following his grandmother’s death.

The incident has intensified the debate over police conduct, detainee rights and the handling of political protests in the national capital.