CJP Volunteer Files Supreme Court Petition Alleging Police Harassment and Illegal Detention

Junaid Malik, a 30-year-old law graduate who volunteered at a recent protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, approached the Supreme Court on Monday. In his petition, he alleges that the police detained him illegally, harassed his family, and violated his fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.

According to the petition, on July 24, Malik was returning from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after receiving an anti-rabies injection. He claims that while traveling in an autorickshaw, a white Scorpio without a number plate intercepted him and his friend. Four to five men, who Malik says were policemen, forced them into the vehicle, blindfolded them, and ordered them to keep their heads down.

Malik states that the car drove for 30-45 minutes to an undisclosed location, where his phone was taken and contacts were reviewed. He and his friend were allegedly taken to another location and detained overnight. The next morning, a senior police officer reportedly questioned them about the funding for food distribution at the protest site. They were then threatened and dropped about 16 kilometers from the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road in Uttarakhand, after which they had to hire a cab to return to Delhi.

The petition also details harassment of Malik's family. His father, Mustafa, was allegedly called to the Masuri police station in Ghaziabad on July 23 and questioned for six hours. The police reportedly sought bank account details of the entire family and asked about Malik's whereabouts. Additionally, a police team raided Malik's home on July 24, demanding bank details and IDs. Another team visited his sister's house in Meerut and took her father-in-law and brother-in-law for questioning.

When contacted, Masuri ACP Sunil Kumar denied any detention. He said, 'Nobody was detained. Two-three persons were called to the police station for questioning. They were asked about Junaid and to specify their relation with him.' He added that people are called for a variety of reasons, including social issues. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Masuri police station stated that a complaint had been received and Mustafa was called through the village head. 'He was not picked up, but rather called to the police station. Nobody was detained,' the officer said.

All India Students' Association president Neha Bora, who helped lead the protest, said she learned that Malik needed legal assistance. 'We're helping him regarding that,' she said.

The protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar had drawn significant attention. Malik, who has a large Instagram following, was involved in distributing food and water to protesters. His petition raises serious questions about police procedures and the right to peaceful protest. The Supreme Court is yet to schedule a hearing on the matter.