CJP protesters claim police crackdown, say they are denied access to activist Sonam Wangchuk

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its protesters alleged on Saturday (July 18, 2026) that there had been a police crackdown on them. They stated that they had not been informed of the whereabouts of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was forcibly removed by the Delhi Police from the Jantar Mantar protest site.

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After reaching the protest site early in the morning, Delhi police climbed onto the dais at Jantar Mantar and put up a large white curtain around the stage before escorting Mr. Wangchuk out, leading to pushing and jostling between the protesters and the police.

The visuals from the site showed Mr. Wangchuk being escorted by police down from the dais. Police officers announced over loudspeakers that they were taking the activist to the hospital.

The Delhi Police said activist Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital for “essential medical care” following expert medical advice and in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s orders.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that the Delhi police allowed him to reach the protest site only after transferring Mr. Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also mentioned that Mr. Dipke has been prevented from leaving Jhandewalan and returning to the protest site.

After the police left Jantar Mantar, taking Mr. Wangchuk with them, protesters alleged that they were not informed of his whereabouts.

“All roads to Jantar Mantar have been blocked off, Delhi Police has shown its true colors. We appeal to the people to take the streets and protest peacefully. We don’t know where Sonam Wangchuk has been taken,” CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said on X.

“They came early in the morning in civil dress. When we asked who they were, they first said they were doctors. Later, they told us they had a High Court order to shift Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital. We requested them to wait until his vital checks were completed but they entered and took him away,” a protester alleged.

“We were asking them to let his medical team examine him first. Nobody was informed beforehand. Everything happened in a rush,” he claimed.

Wangchuk’s Personal physicians and lawyers denied access

The protester alleged that several people sustained injuries in the scuffle.

According to the DCP, New Delhi, “As per orders of Hon’ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon’ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restraint and undertook the exercise safely. We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.”

Alleging police crackdown on protesters, Mr. Dipke stated in a post on X on Saturday (July 18, 2026), “Delhi Police is cracking down at Jantar Mantar. Beating up people and taking away Sonam sir forcefully.”

Later, Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of Mr. Wangchuk, confirmed that he has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. The CJP, in a statement, stated that Ms. Angmo is not being allowed to carry a phone to meet Mr. Wangchuk, and that his personal physicians and lawyers are not being permitted to meet him in the emergency ward.” “Sonam Wangchuk was brought here from the Jantar Mantar site without informing him or without informing me. Just yesterday evening, doctors from Safdarjung Hospital had checked him, and all his vitals were normal. But now they’re telling us his potassium has dropped and it’s life-threatening,” said Ms. Angmo.

(With inputs from Agencies)