Indian police detained Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the opposition Cockroach Janta Party group, on Friday, according to live footage shared by his organization, just before a planned rally in central Delhi. The event was set to press for the resignation of the country's chief election official.

The youth-focused Cockroach Janta Party along with allied opposition parties and student groups have staged near-daily demonstrations this month. They seek the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to a voter list update that critics claim benefits Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.

Officials removed more than 130 million names during the review process. The Election Commission has rejected claims of bias and noted that affected voters may re-register. The ruling party has charged opponents with attempting to weaken democratic institutions by questioning valid election procedures.

Dipke scheduled the Friday gathering to show solidarity with two CJP figures who received five-day jail terms this week after protesting at a restricted location.

The group and allied student organizations called on supporters to assemble at Central Park in the bustling Connaught Place area that evening to display and raise the national flag.

Officers took Dipke into custody upon his exit from a residence

Live video from the CJP Instagram account captured Dipke leaving a building and approaching the street, where officers halted him. After a short exchange they placed him in a police vehicle and departed.

A police officer was heard stating they were detaining him at that moment. Dipke responded that he had not violated any law and questioned the basis for the detention as he was led away.

Police offered no immediate statement regarding the action. Earlier in the day officers had met with Dipke and cautioned him against proceeding with the protest.