CJP Leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Sent to 5-Day Judicial Custody in Delhi
BY : Sheikh Mohammad Isa
Two Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have been sent to five days of judicial custody following their detention during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. A third leader, Ajinkya Shinde, was released after executing a personal bond.
The three leaders were detained on Tuesday after allegedly crossing police barricades, entering Jantar Mantar and raising slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
They were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in Delhi at around 8 am on Wednesday.
CJP Leaders Face Charges Over Jantar Mantar Protest
According to Delhi Police, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were booked on charges including trespassing, violating bond conditions and obstructing a public official from performing their duties.
Police said the incident took place on the morning of October 13, when the three leaders and 11 other CJP members allegedly entered Jantar Mantar through private property. Officers intervened to stop the group from proceeding, claiming that the protesters obstructed them while they were carrying out their duties.
All 14 people were detained and dealt with under the relevant legal provisions, according to the police.
The police further alleged that Das, Ranka and Shinde had repeatedly attempted to disturb public order and encouraged others on social media to take part in similar activities. They were subsequently arrested under preventive provisions of the law.
Court Sends Two Leaders to Judicial Custody
The three leaders were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate, where proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to the police, the magistrate found a serious risk that Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka could again violate the law or encourage others to do so if released.
The court therefore remanded Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody.
Ajinkya Shinde, meanwhile, was directed to furnish a personal bond and surety of Rs 5,000. He was also ordered to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months, the police said.
Previous Peace Bond Cited by Police
Delhi Police said Das and Ranka had previously been released after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000 and agreeing not to become involved in incidents involving a breach of peace for one year.
Police sources alleged that the two leaders had again violated the conditions of their bonds and Section 163 of the BNSS. They were therefore treated as repeat offenders, the sources said.
The case has brought renewed attention to the restrictions imposed on protests in the national capital.
CJP Founder Accuses Government of Suppressing Dissent
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said in a post on X that Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had been sent to five days of judicial custody. He criticised the action and accused the government of suppressing dissent.
Ratna Singh, head of the CJP legal team, also confirmed the detentions in a post on X. She said the three leaders had been arrested at Parliament Street Police Station in connection with the Jantar Mantar case.
Singh alleged that the leaders were not allowed to meet their lawyers until late at night and were taken to the police station in a private van at around 3 am.
The allegations made by the CJP representatives and the police reflect the differing accounts of the incident.
Jantar Mantar Removed From List of Approved Protest Sites
The arrests come amid increased security measures in Delhi as the CJP and other groups protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
On October 11, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued an order identifying Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as designated locations for protests and demonstrations. The order also removed Jantar Mantar from the list of approved protest venues.
The CJP has opposed the decision, arguing that moving demonstrations away from the centre of the national capital would reduce their visibility and impact.
The latest arrests have added to tensions surrounding the protests, with the party criticising the police action and authorities citing public order concerns and alleged violations of legal restrictions.
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