New Delhi, Oct 2026 : Delhi Police on Wednesday said Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had been remanded to five days of judicial custody following their alleged repeated violations of the law and concerns that they could engage in similar activities and instigate others if released.
The police said another CJP member, Ajinkya Shinde, had been directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months after furnishing a personal bond and surety of Rs 5,000.
According to a statement issued by Delhi Police, the action followed an incident on October 13, when Das, Ranka, Shinde and 11 other CJP members allegedly entered Jantar Mantar, which had recently been de-notified as a designated protest site, by trespassing through private premises.
Police personnel deployed in the area intervened and attempted to prevent the group from proceeding further. However, the protesters allegedly obstructed officials while they were performing their duties.
“All 14 persons were detained, and FIR No. 289/26 PS Connaught Place u/s 223a/332/61(2) dated 13.10.2026 and FIR No. 128/26 dated 13.10.2026 u/s 221/115(2)/132/121(1)/3(5) PS Parliament Street were registered against them,” the police statement said.
The police added that all 14 individuals were subsequently bound down under the relevant legal provisions in connection with the respective cases.
Police Cite Concerns Over Repeated Violations
Delhi Police said Das, Ranka and Shinde were arrested under preventive provisions of the law, citing what it described as repeated attempts to disturb public peace and violate legal restrictions.
Officials also referred to alleged attempts by the three individuals to use social media to instigate others to participate in similar activities.
The three CJP leaders were subsequently produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at Mandir Marg in New Delhi on Wednesday morning. Proceedings under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were initiated.
Explaining the court's decision, the police said the SEM considered the details submitted in the kalandra, a police report placed before the magistrate in preventive proceedings, along with the alleged history of repeated violations.
“After considering the matter, the SEM court, considering the kalandra details and in view of their repeated violations of law, and serious apprehension that if released on bail they will again violate law and instigate others to violate law, remanded Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to 05 days of judicial custody,” the statement said.
Shinde, meanwhile, was bound down for six months to maintain peace and good behaviour against a personal bond and surety of Rs 5,000.
Earlier Bond Conditions Under Scrutiny
The latest proceedings follow an earlier case relating to a CJP protest held on October 10. In that case, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had been released after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000.
Their release was subject to a condition that they would not be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for one year.
According to Delhi Police, Das and Ranka are now facing fresh allegations of trespassing and violating the conditions of their earlier bonds. The police said they were being treated as repeat offenders in view of the latest incident and the previous proceedings.
The authorities have cited these circumstances while explaining why they sought preventive action against the three leaders.
Protest Against Election Commission
The CJP members had gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
During the incident, protesters were reportedly raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while attempting to cross police barricades and enter the area.
Police personnel intervened, detained the group and initiated legal proceedings.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the arrangements governing demonstrations in the national capital, particularly the restrictions imposed on protest venues and the procedures that organisers are required to follow.
Jantar Mantar No Longer a Designated Protest Site
On October 12, Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar had been de-notified as a designated protest location. The decision followed recommendations from a committee of the Union Home Ministry.
New protest guidelines were issued under Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026.
Under the revised arrangements, three locations have been designated for protests in Delhi: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
The police have maintained that the latest action against the CJP members was prompted by alleged violations of the law, obstruction of public officials and concerns about the possibility of further breaches of public peace.
The case places the spotlight on the enforcement of protest-related restrictions in Delhi, as authorities seek to regulate demonstrations following the change in the status of Jantar Mantar.
The allegations against the CJP leaders remain subject to the applicable legal proceedings. The police statement outlines the grounds cited by the authorities for the preventive action and judicial custody of Das and Ranka, while Shinde has been directed to comply with the conditions imposed by the Special Executive Magistrate.
