Why CJP's Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to Tihar jail for 5 days: Cockroach Janta party founders Jantar Mantar arrest case explained

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five days of judicial custody after Delhi Police detained them over their alleged forceful entry into Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as a protest site. The two leaders were detained on October 13, days after they were released on a bond requiring them to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year. They now face allegations relating to trespass, obstruction and violation of the conditions imposed during their earlier release.

Also Read: Court orders 5-day judicial custody to CJP’s Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka

Another CJP functionary, Ajinkya Shinde, was also detained in the latest incident but has reportedly been released because it was his first such instance of detention. The latest police action follows the party's campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Why did Delhi Police arrested Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka?

The immediate trigger was the alleged entry of CJP members into Jantar Mantar after the site lost its designated status as a protest venue. On Tuesday, October 13, Ranka acknowledged the entry in a post on X while responding to a user who said party members had been detained while going to the protest site.

“सर जा नहीं रहे थे, अंदर घुस गए,” Ranka wrote. The remark roughly translates to, “Sir, they weren't just going there; they entered inside.”

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also said party members carrying the national flag had entered Jantar Mantar before being detained by Delhi Police. He named Ranka, Das, Shinde and other party members in his post. Dipke shared a video purportedly showing CJP members jumping over a gate to enter the premises and raising slogans, including “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. Police personnel can be seen approaching the group and taking members away.

“You cannot denotify the resistance,” Dipke wrote in his post, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Sent to Tihar Jail: What is Delhi Police's case against CJP leaders?

DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said that Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) reached Jantar Mantar on the morning of October 13 by allegedly trespassing through private premises. The site has been de-notified as a designated protest venue.

According to Sharma, police personnel deployed at the location tried to stop the group. However, the protesters allegedly obstructed officers while they were performing their official duties. The police also took into account what they described as repeated attempts to disturb public peace and social media posts allegedly encouraging others to engage in similar activities.

The three CJP functionaries were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate, where proceedings under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were initiated. After considering the preventive proceedings and the police's apprehensions about further violations, the magistrate remanded Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody.

Shinde, meanwhile, was directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months by furnishing a personal bond and surety of Rs 5,000, according to the police statement.

Which FIRs have been registered against CJP members?

Delhi Police said two FIRs had been registered in connection with the incident. The first, at Connaught Place police station, invokes Sections 223, 332 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions concern disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, house-trespass to commit an offence, and criminal conspiracy, respectively.

A second FIR was registered at Parliament Street police station under Sections 221, 115, 132, 121 and 3(5) of the BNS. These provisions relate to obstructing a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or criminal force against a public servant, causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty, and common intention.

The FIRs set out the allegations being investigated by police; they do not establish guilt. The allegations will have to be examined through the legal process.

Why were Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka detained earlier?

The latest detention followed another police action on October 10, when Delhi Police detained CJP leaders, including Das and Ranka, directly from a flight, according to earlier reports. The detentions came amid the party's campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and its allegations concerning the SIR of electoral rolls.

The leaders were subsequently released after appearing before an executive magistrate and furnishing a surety bond of Rs 50,000. The undertaking required them to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.

Their fresh detention just days later has brought the earlier bond into focus. Police have reportedly cited an alleged breach of the conditions as one of the grounds for action. However, the precise legal consequences of the alleged breach will depend on the relevant proceedings and orders.

Why was Ajinkya Shinde released?

Shinde was among the CJP members detained during the October 13 incident. Dipke had named him alongside Das and Ranka in his account of the detentions. According to reports, Shinde was released because it was his first instance of detention. The difference in their custody status comes amid the ongoing case over the alleged unauthorised entry into Jantar Mantar.

As per reports, CJP leader Shinde has signed a similar bond like Das and Ranka for not breaking peace.

Why is CJP protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?

CJP has been demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The party has continued its campaign despite the change in Jantar Mantar's status as a protest venue. The controversy has brought two issues into focus: the restrictions governing demonstrations at designated sites in Delhi and the legal consequences of allegedly entering a venue without authorisation.

Delhi Police has tightened security amid calls for demonstrations in the capital. Authorities have also identified alternative locations for protests, including Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi. The latest case against Das and Ranka will now turn on the allegations made by police, the terms of their earlier bond and the court's subsequent directions.