CJP’s Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka in Tihar Jail for 5 Days; What Are the Charges?
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody over alleged peace bond violations and unauthorised entry into Jantar Mantar.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail on Wednesday for allegedly violating peace bonds and entering Jantar Mantar without permission, police sources said. The action comes amid heightened security in the national capital, where the CJP and other organisations have been protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, is expected to be released after the completion of bail bond formalities, said news agency PTI, quoting its sources.
The three were produced before the Executive Magistrate again on Wednesday morning, a day after they were detained for allegedly entering the Jantar Mantar area by crossing barricades without authorisation. They raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police registered a case against the CJP activists on charges including trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaking the terms of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from performing official duties, the sources said. Das and Ranka had signed peace bonds on Saturday, agreeing to maintain peace for one year after they were detained during a protest. Police have accused them of violating these undertakings by entering the restricted area on Tuesday.
CJP Founder Blames Centre
Reacting to the development, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the Central government, accusing it of suppressing dissent.
In a post on X, Dipke said Das and Ranka had been sent to five days of judicial custody for unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar. "Ashu and Saurav have been sent to five days' judicial custody. Their fault? Unfurling the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar," he wrote.
Challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dipke added, "Show some guts, @narendramodi. If you’re so determined to crush dissent, have the courage to officially declare an Emergency instead of hiding behind these cowardly tactics."
Saurav and Ashu knew they could be thrown behind bars, yet they went to Jantar Mantar and proudly unfurled the Tricolour. They’ve shown the entire country that the only way to stand up to a bully like Modi is to never bow down, no matter the consequences. https://t.co/cOuKB19MDa
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 14, 2026
On Tuesday morning, Ranka, Das, Shinde alongwith other members of CJP sneaked into Jantar Mantar with Tiranga. They jumped the gates and waved the flag. Sharing the video later, Das said, "Jantar Mantar has been reclaimed".