Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi without permission. The decision was taken on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after the two leaders were detained by Delhi Police.
According to reports, the leaders allegedly crossed barricades and entered the area, which had recently been removed as an officially designated protest site. They reportedly raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police have registered a case against them over alleged trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from performing official duties.
Officials said Das and Ranka had earlier signed a bond promising to maintain peace for one year after they were detained during a protest in Delhi on October 10. Their latest detention comes amid continuing demonstrations by CJP and other groups over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Delhi Police recently named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative locations for public protests. Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest venues. CJP has criticised the decision, arguing that moving protests away from the political centre of Delhi could reduce public attention. The case has once again brought the issue of protest rights, police action and restrictions on public demonstrations into focus. The allegations against the leaders remain part of the legal proceedings.
