New Delhi: Delhi Police have shifted a second FIR against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, sources told PTI. The unit is now probing both cases arising from the leaders’ detention at Jantar Mantar on October 13.
The development comes as the two leaders challenge in the Delhi High Court their continued judicial custody and the rejection of sureties filed for their release.
Second FIR Moved
Police said the latest case was transferred to the Crime Branch on Tuesday. A day earlier, another FIR concerning the alleged entry of Das and Ranka into the Jantar Mantar area was assigned to the same unit.
According to the police account, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members entered Jantar Mantar on October 13 after allegedly crossing through private premises. The authorities had earlier withdrawn the site’s status as a designated protest venue.
Officers deployed there attempted to stop the group, following which all 14 members were detained. Two separate FIRs were subsequently registered over the episode.
The protest reportedly featured calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has rejected claims of political bias in the exercise.
Custody Challenge
Das and Ranka were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate on October 14 and sent to five days of judicial custody for allegedly violating peace bonds. Their custody was later extended by two days on October 19, with both leaders remaining in Tihar Jail until October 21.
The extension was ordered after the magistrate rejected the sureties offered for the leaders. Reports said the court cited mismatches between photographs on the surety documents and Aadhaar cards, doubts over identity verification, and concerns that the sureties might not ensure compliance with imposed conditions.
The magistrate also expressed apprehension over possible breaches of peace and fresh disturbances.
The CJP leaders have moved the High Court, describing the rejection of their sureties and continued detention as arbitrary and a violation of their right to personal liberty under Article 21. They claim they had submitted personal bonds and fixed deposit receipts in support of their release.
Police have opposed their release, citing public-order concerns, alleged breach of protest restrictions and the possibility of renewed mobilisation.