The investigation into the unauthorized entry case involving Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das has now been handed over to the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police. According to police sources, the probe into this high-profile matter will henceforth be handled by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. Both leaders were initially sent to five days of judicial custody, which was further extended by two more days on Monday.
Arrests And The Jantar Mantar Incident
It's noteworthy that Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya Shinde were arrested by the Delhi Police on October 13 at Jantar Mantar. The two CJP leaders, along with some of their supporters, entered the prohibited area of Jantar Mantar and began raising slogans. During this protest, police personnel present at the spot apprehended them. They were placed under preventive arrest for unauthorized entry into the Jantar Mantar area, following which Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were produced before a magistrate on October 14. The magistrate had sent both leaders to jail for five days, while today, on Monday, a petition was filed in the SEM court for the release of both CJP leaders, and after hearing the matter, the court extended their judicial custody by another two days.
Court Observations And Breach Of Bond
The court observed that both respondents violated the bond submitted before the Special Executive Magistrate on October 11, 2026, and subsequently allegedly breached the peace. The Delhi Police argued that both individuals could mobilize people to stage renewed protests at Jantar Mantar, while it should be noted that Jantar Mantar has been removed from the notified list of protest sites. The police also expressed apprehension regarding protests at other non-designated locations. The magistrate stated that the conduct of both individuals raises serious concerns regarding their respect for the law. They're also accused of repeatedly attempting to organize protests at non-designated locations. Their assurance not to repeat such alleged activities in the future wasn't deemed sufficient. The magistrate found that material supporting the police application existed, raising apprehensions of a breach of peace and disruption of public tranquility. On top of that, the magistrate discovered discrepancies in the identity documents of the sureties, while the sureties also failed to provide satisfactory identification and basic information, following which the respondents were directed to produce new sureties.
Strict Action Following The Jantar Mantar Protest
According to the police, on the morning of October 13, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde, and 11 other members of the CJP reached Jantar Mantar by passing through a private premises. It's alleged that the protesters broke barricades, obstructed security personnel in the discharge of their duties, and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. During this protest, the national flag was also unfurled, while the police stated that a total of 14 people were detained. Das and Ranka had previously been detained and had signed a bond to maintain peace for a period of one year.
FIRs Registered In Two Police Stations
According to the Delhi Police, an FIR was registered at the Connaught Place police station on October 13 under sections 223(a), 332, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). In addition, a second FIR was registered at the Parliament Street police station on charges of obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty, causing hurt, and other related offenses. The police stated that preventive action was taken against all three individuals in view of the alleged apprehension of breaching public peace and violating the law, while the police also examined allegations regarding the purported instigation of others to engage in such activities via social media, and further investigations are currently underway.