Delhi Police Detain Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya Shinde

By Akanksha Mishra 2026-10-14 10:13:18

A midnight police operation in the national capital has triggered political outrage after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) national spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and core leader Ajinkya Shinde were formally placed under arrest by the Delhi Police. The trio was detained on Tuesday morning after breaching barricades during a high-stakes protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Following the arrests, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke took to social media to share photographs of the three leaders inside the police station, asserting that administrative detentions will not dampen their political morale as party legal teams prepare to contest the charges.

Midnight Transfers and Private Vans: CJP Accuses Police of Denying Due Process

The handling of the detained leaders overnight has sparked fierce pushback from the party's legal wing:

Midnight Relocation: CJP legal head Ratna Singh revealed that the three leaders were transferred to the Parliament Street Police Station at around 3:00 AM using an unmarked private vehicle instead of a standard police van.
Denial of Legal Consultation: The party's legal cell stated that advocates were prevented from meeting the detained leaders until late into the night, citing procedural irregularities under standard detention norms.
Birthday Behind Bars: Highlighting the human side of the detention, Abhijeet Dipke noted that Wednesday marks Ashutosh Ranka's birthday, questioning why standard police protocol of releasing daytime protesters before evening was bypassed to keep the CJP leaders locked up overnight.

SEM Hearing at Mandir Marg: Criminal Trespass and Bond Breaches Invoked

The legal standoff centers on specific penal charges pressed by law enforcement:

Key Legal Charges: Ratna Singh confirmed that the trio faces allegations of criminal trespass, breaching previously executed peace bonds, and obstructing public servants on official duty during the Jantar Mantar agitation.
SEM Production Deadline: As the statutory 24-hour preventive detention threshold approached, authorities arranged to produce the leaders before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at Mandir Marg Police Station early Wednesday morning.
Likely Tihar Remand: Legal representatives stated that the police sought judicial custody for the activists, anticipating potential transfer to Tihar Jail pending further judicial review.