Jantar Mantar Crackdown: Why CJP Leaders Were Sent to Custody While Ajinkya Shinde Was Bound Down
A Delhi court remanded CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody following their arrest for trespassing at the denotified Jantar Mantar protest site. Fourteen members were detained for obstructing police, while a third leader, Ajinkya Shinde, was bound down for six months.
A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court on Wednesday, October 14, remanded Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody following their detention for allegedly trespassing into the denotified Jantar Mantar protest site. The action followed an incident on the morning of October 13, when 14 members of the CJP, led by Das, Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde, entered the premises despite police warnings and recent restrictions removing the site's status as a designated demonstration venue.
Police Intervention and Registration of FIRs
According to Delhi Police officials, the CJP members accessed Jantar Mantar by trespassing through private premises during early morning hours. "On 13 October 2026, during the morning hours, Sourav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reached Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as designated protest site, by trespassing through a private premise," Delhi Police officials stated, reports ANI. ‘Declare an Emergency’: Abhijeet Dipke Reacts As Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Get 5-Day Judicial Custody.
Delhi Police Remand CJP Leaders to Five Days' Judicial Custody
On-duty security personnel intervened to halt the unauthorised assembly, leading to allegations that the group obstructed public servants. "Police personnel deployed at the spot intervened and attempted to stop them. However, the protesters allegedly obstructed police personnel in the discharge of their official duties," officials added. All 14 individuals were detained, and law enforcement registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) at police stations in Connaught Place (FIR No. 289/26 u/s 223a, 332, and 61(2)) and Parliament Street (FIR No. 128/26 u/s 221, 115(2), 132, 121(1), and 3(5)). Officials confirmed that "subsequently, all the persons were bound down in the respective cases as per law."
Preventive Arrests and Court Proceedings
In response to allegations of persistent law violations and online incitement, police formally arrested Das, Ranka, and Shinde under preventive provisions. "In view of their alleged repeated attempts to disturb public peace and violate the law, Ashutosh Ranka, Sourav Das and Ajinkya Shinde were arrested under the relevant preventive provisions of law. Their alleged attempts to instigate others through social media to engage in similar unlawful activities were also taken into consideration," police noted. Delhi Police Arrest CJP Activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka After Jantar Mantar Entry Attempt.
The three leaders were subsequently produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), where proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). "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 Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka to 05 days of judicial custody," the statement said. Meanwhile, police said that Ajinkya Shinde was bound down to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months on personal bond and surety of INR 5000.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2026 10:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).