Delhi Police subjected us to mental torture, says CJP founder Dipke

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the civil society organization Citizens for Justice and Peace, on Wednesday accused Delhi Police of subjecting him and his family to mental torture during interactions with the force. The allegation comes amid mounting tensions between activist groups and law enforcement agencies in the national capital.

Dipke's statement followed the government's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar, the prominent New Delhi protest site that has long served as a venue for demonstrations and public dissent. The revocation of its status as a designated protest location has triggered concerns among civil society organizations about curbs on democratic expression.

In a sharp critique, Dipke warned that the denotification represents a troubling precedent. He suggested the move reflects a pattern of governmental actions aimed at restricting spaces for legitimate protest and democratic participation, characterizing it as part of a broader assault on constitutional freedoms.

The denotification of Jantar Mantar and Dipke's allegations underscore growing concerns within activist circles about the regulatory environment for dissent in India. Civil society groups have increasingly voiced apprehension over what they describe as narrowing avenues for public protest and democratic engagement in recent months.