Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were detained by Delhi Police after allegedly breaching barricades and entering Jantar Mantar without permission on Tuesday, October 13. The three reportedly raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Das and Ranka have since been sent to five days of judicial custody, while Shinde has been granted bail.

Why Were CJP Leaders Detained?

According to reports, the three leaders allegedly climbed over locked gates and entered Jantar Mantar, which had recently been removed from the list of designated protest venues. Police subsequently detained them and registered a case involving alleged trespass, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstruction of public servants.

The arrests came amid protests by CJP and opposition groups over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and the BJP have denied allegations of political bias in the revision process.

Two Sent To Tihar Jail, Shinde Gets Bail

On October 14, Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody at Tihar Jail. Shinde was granted bail on a personal bond of ₹5,000, according to CJP’s legal team head, Ratna Singh. The proceedings followed their preventive detention and subsequent appearance before the authorities.

Singh had earlier alleged that the three were brought to Parliament Street Police Station in a private vehicle at around 3 am and were denied access to their lawyers until late in the evening. These allegations have been attributed to the party’s legal team.

Why Jantar Mantar Is No Longer A Protest Site

On October 11, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued an order designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative venues for protests and demonstrations, effectively removing Jantar Mantar from the approved list.

CJP has criticised the move, arguing that shifting demonstrations away from the political centre of the national capital would reduce the visibility of public dissent. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the police action, questioning whether displaying the national flag could be treated as a violation.

The detentions have intensified the debate over protest restrictions, electoral-roll revisions and the right to peaceful dissent as legal proceedings against the CJP leaders continue.

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