New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to judicial custody for five days in the case related to the protest at Jantar Mantar. The Special Executive Magistrate ordered both of them to be sent to Tihar Jail. At the same time, the third leader Ajinkya Shinde was released on personal bond. The police argued in the court that Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into preventive custody four days ago and were released with conditions, but they again violated the rules.
According to the police, on Tuesday, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde along with their supporters had allegedly entered Jantar Mantar in violation of prohibitory orders. At that time, Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) was in force in the area. Delhi Police detained the three leaders and their supporters and took them to Jafarpur Kalan. Later late in the night the three leaders were arrested as a precautionary measure. He was produced before the Special Executive Magistrate on Wednesday morning.
Police accused of breaking the terms of bond
Police told the magistrate that Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into preventive custody four days ago also. At that time he was released on the condition of paying bond and not disturbing the peace in future. Police alleged that despite this, both of them violated the law again and may do so in future also. After these arguments, the magistrate sent both of them to judicial custody for five days.
CJP's legal head raised questions on the arrest
CJP's legal head Ratna Singh posted on social media platform X claiming that Delhi Police has arrested Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde. According to him, all three have been charged with entering without permission, violating bond conditions and obstructing the work of a government official.
Ratna Singh also alleged in the post that the leaders were not allowed to meet their lawyers till late at night. He claimed that the trio were brought to the Parliament Street police station in a private van around 3 am. Questions have been raised on the arrest action by CJP.
Slogans raised demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner
According to the police, the three activists entered the heavily barricaded protest area and were raising slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier on Tuesday morning also, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and several CJP members were detained for entering the area in violation of prohibitory orders.
Jantar Mantar was recently removed from the list of sites earmarked for protests. Citing the order of Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, Delhi Police had named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as designated places for the demonstration.
Increased security amid protests against SIR
CJP and other organizations have held several demonstrations to protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. In this background, security arrangements were increased in the capital and this action took place during the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
CJP has criticized the decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites. The organization says that by shifting the protests from the political center of the capital to another place, public disagreement will be less visible.
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