DELHI POLICE ESCALATES PROBE INTO CJP PROTEST: SECOND CASE AGAINST SAURAV DAS AND ASHUTOSH RANKA HANDED TO CRIME BRANCH
October 21, 2026
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 21: Delhi Police has transferred a second case against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to its Crime Branch, bringing both cases against the jailed leaders under the investigation of the specialised unit.
The latest transfer comes a day after another case involving the two leaders’ alleged entry into the Jantar Mantar area was assigned to the Crime Branch. The development adds a new dimension to the legal proceedings against the CJP leaders, who remain in judicial custody following their attempt to unfurl the national flag at the protest site.
According to Delhi Police, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members reached Jantar Mantar on October 13 by allegedly trespassing through private premises. The site had been denotified as a designated protest venue. Police personnel intervened to stop the group, after which all 14 people were detained and two first information reports (FIRs) were registered.
The police alleged that Das and Ranka crossed a locked gate and police barricades despite having signed peace bonds on October 10. During the incident, the two co-convenors allegedly raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
On October 14, a Special Executive Magistrate sent the two leaders to five days of judicial custody for allegedly breaching their peace bonds. Their custody was subsequently extended by two days on Monday, leaving them behind bars as the investigation continued.
The transfer of both cases to the Crime Branch places the specialised unit in charge of investigating the allegations arising from the incident. The police have not announced any conclusion on the allegations, which remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, CJP founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke has publicly defended the jailed leaders, describing them as central figures in the party’s movement. In a 16-minute video message posted on X on Tuesday, Dipke referred to Das and Ranka as his brothers and said he followed their instructions.
Dipke also announced that the party would suspend its protests until Diwali. In a message released on Dussehra, he urged CJP supporters, who refer to themselves as “cockroaches”, to take a break and spend time with their families.
The cases have emerged amid the party’s protest campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The detention of its two co-convenors has raised questions about the legal boundaries governing demonstrations at locations that are no longer officially designated for protests.
With both cases now under the Crime Branch, the next developments will depend on the investigation and the legal proceedings concerning the leaders’ detention. The transfer itself does not establish guilt, and the allegations against Das and Ranka remain to be examined through the appropriate legal process.
