Abhijeet Dipke was detained inside his aircraft shortly after it landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday morning. (File photo)The grandmother of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke died at the age of 85 in the family’s native village in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district on Saturday, as he remained in detention after being picked up by the Delhi Police on arrival in the capital for a planned protest.Savitribai Shankar Dipke died at Santuk Pimpri village. Dipke’s parents, Bhagwan and Anita, left for the village after receiving the news, The Indian Express has learned. There was no immediate confirmation of whether Dipke would be released or permitted to travel to Maharashtra for the last rites, or whether he had been informed of the death.Dipke was detained inside his aircraft shortly after it landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday morning. He was travelling from Mumbai with CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka for the protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.The CJP has been demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, under which over 13 crore names were deleted from draft rolls, and over changes to Form 6, the form used to register new voters. Dipke had questioned why police permission was needed to protest at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, and said peaceful assembly was a constitutional right.Must Read | CJP Protest Live Updates: Mamata Banerjee, Derek O’Brien detained by Delhi Police amid crackdown on anti-EC protestIn a video recorded inside the aircraft, Dipke is heard telling police personnel, “I have come here to get arrested. Go ahead and arrest me.” The CJP condemned the detention and demanded the unconditional release of its leaders.Speaking on Saturday, Dipke’s father Bhagwan asked the police to disclose under which law his son had been held. His mother Anita said the family stood by him and supported his work.A day earlier, at Loksamvad in Mumbai, an interaction organised by Loksatta, The Indian Express group’s Marathi daily, Dipke had spoken of what the CJP’s agitation had cost his family.Story continues below this ad“As for my family, my mother and father were both admitted to the hospital during the Jantar Mantar protest. I didn’t speak about it anywhere because I didn’t want sympathy. I couldn’t go see them because if I left, they would say ‘Abhijit ran away.’ My family has suffered more than me. Even today, I see fear in my mother’s eyes when I step out, whether I’ll return or not. When I left for Bangalore recently, my mother was crying. That is the cost you have to pay today,” he said.Also Read | Watch: Moment when Abhijeet Dipke, team were detained in flight“But people are tired of living in fear now. On July 20, when kids were beaten and fractured, they came back and sat there on July 21. The fear is gone.”Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram