Delhi Police said CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was informed on Saturday about the death of his 85-year-old grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, in Maharashtra's Hingoli district. The police also said it offered humanitarian assistance to help him travel to his hometown for the funeral.
Savitribai died at about 11:30 AM AM on Saturday in Santuk Pimpri village, according to family sources. She had been ill for a long time. Her funeral is scheduled for 10 AM on Sunday.
The police statement directly rejected social media claims that Dipke had not been told about the death because he was being detained in Delhi. According to the statement, officials received the information during the day, conveyed it to him promptly and sensitively, and told him the scheduled funeral time.
The force also said it offered all possible assistance on humanitarian grounds so that Dipke could travel to his hometown. The statement did not change the fact that he remained in police custody in connection with the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Why Abhijeet Dipke was detained
Dipke had travelled to the national capital from Mumbai with CJP leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Delhi Police detained the three leaders after they arrived at the airport, according to the report.
The proposed demonstration was directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police said the action followed a call for a protest at Jantar Mantar that had not received permission.
The police said Dipke was detained because the demonstration had not been authorised. The account from CJP differed on the circumstances, with the organisation claiming that the three leaders were taken into custody from inside the aircraft soon after it landed in the national capital.
A cousin of Dipke said the family was initially unable to contact him because he was in custody. The cousin also said Dipke's parents had been informed about the death and were leaving for the village.
Family contact before the death
Family sources said Dipke had met his grandmother on 15 August while launching the 'Fix Schools' campaign in Hingoli district. He met her once again afterward, but had not been able to see her during the previous 20-25 days.
The family account provides context to the concern surrounding his communication with relatives after the detention. Delhi Police, however, maintained that he was told about the death and funeral arrangements once the information reached officials.
The disagreement therefore centres on the circumstances of contact and the timing of communication, rather than on whether the death occurred. The reported death, the scheduled funeral and the police offer of travel assistance were included in the statement about the incident.
Detentions during the protest call
About 3,000 people were detained in Delhi on Saturday amid heavy security arrangements. Protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar despite the lack of police permission for the demonstration.
The protest had been called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The detention of Dipke, Das and Ranka took place against that wider security operation in the capital.
# Q. Who was Abhijeet Dipke told about?
He was informed about the death of his grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, Delhi Police said.
# Q. How old was Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke?
She was 85 years old.
# Q. Where did she die?
She died in Santuk Pimpri village in Maharashtra's Hingoli district.
# Q. When was the funeral scheduled?
The funeral was scheduled for 10 AM on Sunday.
# Q. What assistance did Delhi Police offer?
Police said it offered humanitarian assistance to help Dipke travel to his hometown.
# Q. Why was Dipke detained?
Police said he was detained over the proposed Jantar Mantar protest, which had not been permitted.
# Q. Who travelled with Dipke to Delhi?
CJP leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka travelled with him from Mumbai.
# Q. How many people were detained in Delhi on Saturday?
About 3,000 people were detained during the security operation linked to the protest call.
Conclusion
Delhi Police said Abhijeet Dipke was promptly informed about his grandmother's death and offered help to attend the funeral, while CJP and a family member described difficulties in contacting him after his detention.
