CJP Leaders Get 5-Day Judicial Custody: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been remanded for five days into judicial custody and sent to Tihar Jail over allegations that they entered into de-notified Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi without permission. Another party leader Ajinkya Shinde has been released on personal bond on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, October 14, A Special Executive Magistrate passed an order granting judicial custody to Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka following their detention by Delhi police on Tuesday.
This latest event heightens the tussle between CJP and authorities over the rights of the party to hold demonstrations at this historically significant protest location.
Why Were Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Arrested?
“The CJP leaders apparently crossed barricades at Jantar Mantar, which has been converted into an authorized protest ground. Hence they were trespassing. Also, the protesters have defied prohibitory orders on entering Janta Mantar,” police said in a statement citing “several other alleged violation” such as obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties and breaching an earlier peace bond.
Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police.
@AshutoshRanka, @SauravDassss, @AjinkyaCJP along with other team members have been detained.
You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi https://t.co/x7B40akCVO
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026
“Considering the risk of repetition or incitement of similar violations…we could not release [them],” police added. Authorities produced the leaders before the magistrate who ordered five days of judicial custody.
The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings.
What Happened to Ajinkya Shinde?
Ajinkya Shinde, who also joined the site along with Das and Ranka, was released separately after furnishing his personal bond.
Reports state that Shinde would be tied up for maintaining peace and good behaviour for six months by giving a personal bond & a surety amount of Rs 5000/-
The release of Shinde while the remaining two leaders have been put behind bars in Tihar jail indicates some differences made regarding the trio of the CJP members.
Dhruv Rathee Detained, CJP Leaders Held Ahead of Delhi Protest: Is Police Action Legal?
CJP Disputes Police Action Over Peaceful Protest
CJP has contested the police view, saying that its members were at Jantar Mantar waving up the national flag of India along with raising slogans. “We are disputing the factuality underlying the claim that our activities amounted to a breach,” CJP said.
This case also brings to fore the line drawn between the rights guaranteed under Article 19 (right to peaceable assembly) against the duties arising out of compliance with lawfully imposed constraints over public demonstration.
Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice.
Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights.
Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 14, 2026
Though right to protest is Constitutionally protected but isn’t unlimited. As per existing orders, relevant evidences and subsequent legal process, the legality of the action taken by the Police and possible violation(s), if any, would have to be assessed.
Why Jantar Mantar Is No Longer Official Protest Site?
For years now, Jantar Mantar has been a go-to location for protests of all kinds related to both political and public interest issues. But after Delhi police recently withdrew their authorisation that had given them this status, identifying alternative venues (like Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground), it’s come under fire from organisation CJP, who have continued to push against these moves.
The incident occurred amidst a larger controversy regarding protest over resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to issues related to revision of electoral rolls. But Election Commission denied allegations on political bias during the voter list revision process.
They were expected to be kept under judicial custody for a period of five days as per orders issued by court. However, this could change if they appeal against this decision, Das & Ranka said.
