CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das Remanded to 5-Day Judicial Custody

In a major legal development stemming from the ongoing high-voltage confrontations at Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) national spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and chief spokesperson Saurav Das were remanded to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday. Produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at the Mandir Marg police station around 8:30 AM, the two leaders were sent behind bars following allegations of criminal trespass and deliberate breach of executive peace bonds. Responding immediately to the remand order, fellow CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde stated that both Ranka and Das are heading to jail with their heads held high, rejecting police allegations that the activists had orchestrated unauthorized mass gatherings at the historic site.

Breaching Barricades at Jantar Mantar: The Triggers Behind Delhi Police Action

The confrontation escalated following rapid administrative changes governing demonstration zones in the national capital:

• Entry into Restricted Grounds: Delhi Police detained Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and several party workers on Tuesday morning after the activists allegedly forced open a secured gate to enter Jantar Mantar alongside other organization members.

• Revocation of Protest Designation: The contentious demonstration unfolded just twenty-four hours after administrative authorities formally rescinded Jantar Mantar's status as an officially designated protest venue, turning the iconic site into a restricted security zone.

• Charges of Criminal Trespass: Law enforcement agencies argued before the magistrate that the leaders engaged in intentional criminal trespassing by breaching police barricades and entering protected government premises without statutory permissions.

Bond Violations and Apprehension of Re-Offending: Police Make Case Before Magistrate

Legal defense counsel detailed the specific administrative grounds presented by prosecution officers to secure remand:

• Breach of Delhi Cantt Undertaking: Defense counsel Advocate Abhisht Hela revealed that police cited a formal bond previously executed by both leaders before an SEM at Delhi Cantt police station on Sunday, arguing that entering Jantar Mantar directly breached their pledge to preserve public peace.

• Fears of Mobilization: Police prosecutors contended that the two leaders had actively issued calls to cadre and civil groups urging them to assemble at the site, creating an imminent risk of broader law-and-order disruptions.

• Grounds for Detention: The Delhi Police pushed for immediate confinement on the grounds that releasing the leaders would likely result in repeated violations and recurrent breaches of public tranquility, prompting the executive court to grant a five-day remand.