Cockroach Janata Party Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Sent to 5 Days of Judicial Custody

A Special Executive Magistrate on Wednesday remanded Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das and national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody following their detention over entering the de-notified protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The duo, along with several other party members, allegedly entered the protest site by jumping over locked gates on Tuesday morning, a day after Jantar Mantar lost its designated status as a protest venue.

According to their counsel, advocate Abhisht Hela, the Delhi Police argued that the two leaders had called on people to assemble at Jantar Mantar, amounting to criminal trespass. Police also alleged that they had violated a bond signed on Sunday before a Special Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantonment Police Station, undertaking not to disturb public peace.

The police reportedly argued that there was a possibility of the accused committing further offences if released. Das and Ranka were produced before the Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg Police Station at around 8:30 am on Wednesday.

Reacting to the development, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the action and questioned whether unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar was the reason behind their arrest.

In a post on X, Dipke said the two leaders had been sent to five days of judicial custody for unfurling the Tricolour. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the action was an attempt to suppress dissent.