Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days in Tihar Jail for repeatedly violating peace conditions and mobilising protesters via social media, Delhi Police said on Wednesday. The action followed their unauthorised entry into the denotified Jantar Mantar protest site on October 13.
Why Delhi Police sought action against CJP leaders
Officers deployed nearby attempted to stop them, but the group allegedly obstructed police personnel performing their duties. The charges include disobedience to a lawful order, house trespass, and criminal conspiracy, alongside allegations of obstructing public servants, causing hurt, using criminal force against officials, and acting with common intention. They also cited social media posts that they believed encouraged others to enter the restricted area. The three leaders were produced before Special Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena at Mandir Marg. The High Court issued notice on a request to reconsider restrictions affecting a proposed Indian Youth Congress protest.
Because of previous alleged breaches of the peace, police said Das, Ranka and Shinde faced further preventive action. In a statement issued on Wednesday, police said Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members reached Jantar Mantar on Tuesday morning by entering through private premises. Police detained all 14 individuals and registered two FIRs. The court noted that Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had previously signed Rs 50,000 bonds to maintain peace for a year. Pointing to fresh protest calls, their breach of that pledge, and their actions on Tuesday, the magistrate issued notices under Section 130 of the BNSS. Since acceptable sureties were not provided, the court remanded both leaders to five days of judicial custody, setting the next hearing for October 19.
Police told the Delhi High Court the change followed Supreme Court directions concerning suitable sites for demonstrations.
