Delhi Police Detain CJP Activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka After Jantar Mantar Entry Attempt

Delhi Police have arrested Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde in connection with an alleged trespassing incident at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The arrests came a day after authorities withdrew the protest site's designated status, following the activists' attempt to enter the premises.

According to police sources, the activists are under preventive arrest. A case was registered after they allegedly entered the restricted area on Tuesday, October 13. CJP leader Ratna Singh said the activists were expected to be produced before a magistrate on Wednesday. Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, Ajinkya Shinde and Other CJP Members Detained, Says Abhijeet Dipke.

CJP Activists Arrested After Entering Jantar Mantar

The activists reportedly entered the heavily barricaded premises by climbing over locked gates. A video shared by CJP members showed the group entering the site, with Ashutosh Ranka raising the national flag. Police personnel subsequently intervened and detained the activists.

The incident followed the party's demand for permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Delhi Police to specify a date and time for the proposed demonstration.

Delhi Police registered a case over the alleged trespass and other offences, including bond violation and obstruction of a public servant, as cited by CJP's lawyer Ratna Singh. CJP Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to Delhi Police to Schedule Jantar Mantar Protest.

Ratna Singh Raises Concerns Over Detention

Ratna Singh said on social media that Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde had been taken to Parliament Street Police Station. She said they were likely to be produced before a magistrate and raised the possibility of judicial custody.

Singh also alleged that the activists were not allowed to meet their lawyers until late at night. According to her account, they were brought to the police station in a private van at around 3 am on Wednesday.

The allegations regarding access to legal counsel and the circumstances of the detention were raised by Singh. The police's reported position was that the activists were under preventive arrest.

Why Jantar Mantar's Protest Status Was Withdrawn

The arrests followed a Delhi Police decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites. An official notice cited a committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine alternative locations for demonstrations.

The notice identified Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative designated venues for protests.

The development has intensified the dispute between CJP and the authorities over access to Jantar Mantar, a prominent protest location in the national capital. The party has been campaigning against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise.

CJP has opposed the withdrawal of Jantar Mantar's designated status, maintaining that the move would not stop its campaign. The allegations concerning the SIR exercise remain the party's stated grounds for seeking a protest.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2026 07:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).