New Delhi: Two leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were remanded to five days in judicial custody at Tihar Jail on Wednesday after Delhi Police accused them of entering Jantar Mantar despite its recent removal from the list of authorised protest venues. A third CJP member, Ajinkya Shinde, was released after he completed peace-bond formalities before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM).
Police sources said the case against the three includes allegations of trespass, defiance of prohibitory orders, breach of previously executed peace bonds and obstruction of a public servant performing official duties.
Earlier Undertaking Cited
According to officials, Das and Ranka had been detained during a protest in the capital on Saturday and subsequently signed bonds agreeing to keep the peace for one year. Their presence at Jantar Mantar is alleged to have breached those undertakings, as reported by India Today.
The detentions occurred days after Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, through an October 11 order, designated Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as protest venues — effectively ending Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated site for demonstrations.
Party Alleges High-Handedness
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke condemned the action, alleging that the two leaders were being punished for displaying the Tricolour at the site.
“Ashu and Saurav have been sent to five days’ judicial custody. Their fault? Unfurling the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar,” he wrote on X.
“Show some guts, @narendramodi. If you’re so determined to crush dissent, have the courage to officially declare an Emergency instead of hiding behind these cowardly tactics,” he added.
Dipke also posted a photograph of the three men at Parliament Street police station, asserting that they remained undeterred.
Legal Team’s Allegations
CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh claimed the men had been arrested and taken to the police station in a private vehicle at 3 am. She further alleged that they were denied access to lawyers until late in the night.
“Despite these illegal actions, their spirits are high,” Singh wrote, alleging unlawful action by the authorities.
The CJP is protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and opposes the shifting of protests away from central Delhi, arguing it would dilute the visibility of dissent.