CJP leaders remanded in judicial custody for five days after Jantar Mantar protest attempt

New Delhi, Oct 14: Three leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, who were arrested for allegedly attempting to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar by jumping over the gate despite a ban on demonstrations at the site, have been remanded to five days of judicial custody.

Cases have been registered against Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde on various charges, including trespassing, violation of bond conditions and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties. They were produced before the SCM court on the morning of Tuesday, October 14.

According to Delhi Police sources, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were found to have violated Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) once again.

The three CJP leaders were taken into custody after allegedly attempting to enter Jantar Mantar by jumping over the gate, despite restrictions on holding protests and sit-ins at the venue.

Advocate Ratna Singh stated in a social media post that the CJP leaders were not allowed to meet their lawyers until late at night. At around 3 am, they were taken in a private vehicle to the Parliament Street police station. Despite what she described as the police's unlawful actions, the leaders remained courageous and resolute, she wrote.

Abhijit Dipke also posted about the incident, stating that no force could weaken the morale of CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, who were inside the Parliament Street police station. Addressing Ratna Singh, he wrote, “What a beautiful picture this is.”

Security has been tightened in the national capital amid protests by the CJP and various other organisations against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

On October 11, Delhi police commissioner Anurag Kumar issued an order designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and CBD Maidan as authorised protest venues. Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of officially designated protest sites.

The CJP's key members attempted to stage a protest on Tuesday against the order, following which they were taken into custody.