NEW DELHI: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday was granted bail on certain conditions within 24 hours of being taken into “preventive custody”.He is set to be released upon signing a peace bond, Delhi Police told news agency ANI.Dipke was detained shortly after leaving the residence where he was staying to attend the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ at Delhi’s Connaught Place (CP).As Dipke left the residence of NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande, a police official told him, “We are placing you under preventive detention. Section 163 is in force in Connaught Place. You are being detained.”Before the detention, a group of more than 10 police personnel had reached the house and asked Dipke not to hold the demonstration at CP, citing concerns over traffic congestion, public safety and disruption to commercial activity. In an exchange captured on video, Dipke was heard saying, “We (CJP) never said we are holding a protest. We said we would wave the national flag. Is that not allowed either? Is the Tricolour unlawful?” A policeman responded that the flag was the pride of the country.Several sheets of papers were seen lying on a table inside the house. Dipke was later seen signing on them.In a notice issued to Dipke, police referred to his public statements and social media calls for people to assemble at CP, allegedly without seeking prior permission. The notice was issued in connection with proceedings before Delhi High Court in two petitions.Police said CP is a busy commercial hub with limited entry and exit points. A crowd in one circle can clog the others, making dispersal and emergency exit difficult, they said. CP houses numerous shops, restaurants, hotels, banks and offices, and disruptions during evening and peak festive season could affect business, the notice stated, adding over 15 lakh traders and employees depend on its peaceful and orderly functioning for their livelihoods.
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It also highlighted that Rajiv Chowk metro station, an interchange between the Blue and Yellow lines that caters to an average of two lakh commuters daily, could be affected by the gathering. A large crowd could lead to congestion and pose a stampede risk, while obstruction of arterial roads could disrupt traffic across central Delhi, police said.
