Anti-CEC protest: What happened moments before CJP leaders were detained inside AI 2428

Three activists from the Cockroach Janata Party - Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka - were detained on Air India flight AI 2428 upon landing in Delhi on October 10, 2026. The arrest occurred unexpectedly, even catching the airline off guard. Delhi Police, along with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials, boarded the aircraft and took the activists into custody from their seats.

CISF is responsible for airport security and access control at major Indian airports. The flight had departed from Mumbai at 8 a.m., arriving in Delhi at 10.20 a.m., and its parking bay was changed at the airline's request shortly before landing. Air India has since contacted the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to clarify the guidelines regarding police boarding aircraft and the lack of advance coordination.

The Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023 state that airlines control access to aircraft. The detentions occurred shortly after the aircraft arrived, with police informing the activists that their proposed protest at Jantar Mantar had been denied. Upon landing, CISF officials frisked the passengers for weapons, and the cabin crew alerted the commander, who then instructed passengers in seats 7A, 7B, and 7C to disembark.

However, the security personnel had already reached their seats. Questions remain about the protocols governing such access and the responsibilities of law-enforcement agencies, airport security, and the airline. Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have not yet responded to inquiries.