Uttarakhand High Court. File
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Terming the government’s action as ‘gundagardi’ (hooliganism), the Uttarakhand High Court on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) criticised the State over the detention of Uttarakhand Parivartan Party chief Prabhat Dhyani, who was picked up by police while he was travelling to Delhi to participate in the protest called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
*Also read \| CJP protest at Jantar Mantar updates on July 21*
Hearing a petition challenging Mr. Dhyani’s detention, a Division Bench of Justices Ravindra Maithani and Siddhartha Sah questioned the legal basis for preventing him from travelling to Delhi to join the protest.
“What lawful direction the activist had allegedly violated...,” the Bench asked.
Defending the detention, the counsel for the State cited prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) imposed in the national capital. He argued that citizens are bound to obey lawful police directions and added that violating prohibitory orders in Delhi could amount to a cognisable offence. He also argued that there were concerns of national security.
The Bench, however, questioned why the Uttarakhand Police had sought to prevent a person from travelling to another State. “I have a right to move anywhere in the country. Who are you to stop me?” Justice Maithani observed, adding that any alleged violation of prohibitory orders in Delhi would fall within the jurisdiction of the Delhi Police, not the Uttarakhand Police.
“It is gundagardi...,” Justice Maithani remarked further questioning the State on what lawful direction allowed it to detain Mr. Dhyani.
##### When protest meets crackdown: Cockroach Janta Party protest in pictures
Personnel with 'Nagaland Armed Police' badge amid CJP protests on July 20, 2026.
CJP Protesters and police personnel get into a scuffle in New Delhi.
A police personnel looks on as protesters jam the streets as part of the CJP protest.
CJP Protester alleges police brutality on a video recorded on his phone.
Police personnel cleans a broken bus outside Janpath Metro Gate 3, in the evening of the CJP protest.
Protester after the CJP protest on July 20, 2026.
Graffiti near Jantar Mantar on the day of the CJP protest in New Delhi.
Heavy police deployment witnessed across Delhi during the CJP protest.
Delhi Police car broken and overturned outside Janpath metro, New Delhi.
People, including CJP protesters, inside the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, during the CJP protest, New Delhi.
Poster saying 'we will stay silent no longer," near Kerala House, New Delhi on the night of the CJP protest.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke cries in a gathering of protesters outside Kerala House, New Delhi.
Protesters rebuilding the stage at Jantar Mantar on the night of July 20, 2026 following widespread protests..
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The Bench then directed the police officer responsible for the politician’s detention to file a response before the next hearing, which is scheduled after four weeks.
Mr. Dhyani was detained from Rishikesh railway station on July 19 after posting on Facebook that he supported climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. In the post, he intended to participate in the CJP-led protest in Delhi.
Although Mr. Dhyani was released within 24 hours after being traced to Ramnagar police station in Nainital district, one of his associate, Lal Mani, moved the High Court challenging the detention via advocate Snigdha Tiwari.
Published - July 21, 2026 07:42 pm IST