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New Delhi, October 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in separate cells at Tihar Jail in connection with a case involving alleged trespassing at Jantar Mantar, while fellow party member Ajinkya Shinde has been released on a personal bond.
According to people familiar with the matter, Das has been lodged in Jail No. 2 and Ranka in Jail No. 4. The three were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in New Delhi on Wednesday after being detained for allegedly crossing police barricades and entering Jantar Mantar.
Advocate Abhisht Hela, who represents the three CJP members, confirmed that Das and Ranka had been sent to judicial custody for five days.
The trio were detained on Tuesday while attempting to protest against the Election Commission of India over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They were seen raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while attempting to breach police barricades.
They have been booked for alleged trespassing, violation of bond conditions and obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties.
Hela questioned the decision to remand the two leaders, alleging that the authorities had acted on presumptions rather than evidence. He also argued that the officers serving as Special Executive Magistrates (SEMs) were senior police officials rather than judicial magistrates and alleged that the order disregarded Supreme Court principles.
The lawyer described the detention as distressing, saying the leaders had been sent to judicial custody for five days for raising the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and waving the national flag.
Earlier, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had been released in connection with an October 10 protest after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000. They were also directed not to be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for one year. The latest case involves allegations of trespassing and violating those bond conditions, with the leaders being treated as repeat offenders.
Delhi Police had de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site on October 12 under Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026, following recommendations from a Home Ministry committee. Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi have been designated as alternative protest venues.