CJP LEADERS SEEK BREATHER FROM DELHI POLICE PROBE, MISS CRIME BRANCH SUMMONS OVER JANTAR MANTAR PROTEST
October 22, 2026
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 22: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will not appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday after informing investigators that they are unavailable and requesting additional time to join the investigation into cases arising from their protest at Jantar Mantar on October 13.
Police sources said the Crime Branch had summoned the two leaders in connection with separate cases involving allegations of trespassing and obstructing public servants. Both cases were recently transferred to the specialised investigative unit.
Das and Ranka were released from custody on Wednesday after furnishing undertakings intended to prevent a breach of peace. The Crime Branch is expected to issue fresh summons specifying a revised date and time for their appearance.
As part of the conditions imposed following their release, the two leaders gave written undertakings that they would not call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the location remains officially denotified as a designated protest site. They were also directed to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each until the conclusion of the inquiry.
CUSTODY AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS FOLLOW PROTEST
The CJP leaders were initially sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14 after being detained in connection with the party’s protest. Their custody was extended by another two days on October 19 and expired on Wednesday.
Police sources also said that Ajinkya Shinde, another CJP member, had been summoned in connection with the investigation. The cases include allegations of trespassing and disobeying orders issued by a public servant, among other charges.
Das and Ranka were first detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport on October 10, ahead of a planned demonstration, and were released after furnishing peace bonds of ₹50,000 each. They were detained again following the October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar, with police initiating further proceedings over an alleged breach of those undertakings.
PROTEST AGAINST ELECTORAL ROLL REVISION
The CJP leaders have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the deletion of voters’ names.
Their protest and subsequent detention have become part of a wider political dispute over the electoral revision exercise, voter registration and the right to demonstrate in the national capital.
The latest development leaves the Crime Branch investigation pending, with the next stage dependent on fresh summons and the leaders’ appearance before investigators. The allegations remain subject to the ongoing legal process.
