New Delhi, October 14: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday in connection with an alleged trespassing incident at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. The two leaders have been lodged in Tihar Jail, according to reports. Their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on a personal bond.
Why Were CJP Leaders Detained?
The three CJP members were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday, October 13, after allegedly breaching barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, which had recently been removed as a designated protest site.
According to reports, the leaders raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The action came amid continuing protests by CJP and other groups over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Police have registered a case involving allegations of trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties.
Das and Ranka had reportedly signed bonds undertaking to maintain peace for one year after being detained during an earlier protest in Delhi on October 10.
Jantar Mantar No Longer A Designated Protest Site
The detention comes after Delhi Police changed the designated locations for public demonstrations in the capital. An order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11 named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as venues for protests and demonstrations, following which Jantar Mantar was no longer recognised as a designated protest site.
The CJP has criticised the decision, arguing that moving demonstrations away from central Delhi could reduce the visibility of public protests.
CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Criticises Custody
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the decision to send Das and Ranka to judicial custody, questioning whether unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar warranted such action.
The party has maintained that its protest was connected to concerns over electoral processes and democratic rights. Meanwhile, the allegations against the detained leaders remain subject to the legal process.
Ajinkya Shinde Released On Personal Bond
While Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi, Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond, according to reports.
The development marks another escalation in the ongoing confrontation between CJP activists and Delhi Police over demonstrations in the capital. The case is likely to keep attention focused on the rules governing protest locations, preventive detention and the right to peaceful assembly.
