New Delhi, Oct. 20 -- The case involving Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, arrested after entering the restricted Jantar Mantar protest site, has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch amid mounting criticism over their continued detention. The development came after a Special Executive Magistrate extended the judicial custody of the two CJP co-convenors by another two days on Monday. They have been in custody since October 13 and are scheduled to be produced again on Wednesday.
The CJP has accused the authorities of deliberately prolonging their detention, while Delhi Police have maintained that releasing the two could threaten public peace and tranquillity. The transfer of the Jantar Mantar trespassing case to the Crime Branch marks a fresh development in the proceedings against the two leaders, who were detained after allegedly climbing over locked gates to enter the site. Jantar Mantar had been denotified as a designated protest location a day before the incident.
A video shared by Ranka showed him, Das and CJP national organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde entering the venue by climbing the gates before police personnel intervened. The two leaders were subsequently placed under preventive arrest and remanded to five days of judicial custody. On Monday, police sought a further extension, arguing that their release could disturb public order. The defence disputed the claim, maintaining that no evidence had been presented to establish such a threat.
The newly appointed Special Executive Magistrate, while extending custody, referred to the alleged deliberate violation of bonds by the two leaders. The order also raised concerns about their conduct and compliance with legal restrictions. CJP representatives rejected the reasoning and questioned the continued use of preventive detention against the protesters. The party's legal team maintained that the police had failed to establish any immediate threat to public peace that would justify keeping the leaders in custody.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded the immediate release of Das and Ranka, accusing the authorities of using detention to suppress young protesters. In a post on X, Banerjee criticised the extension of their custody and alleged that democratic rights were being undermined.
The CJP thanked Banerjee for her support as criticism of the proceedings continued. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee also called for the two leaders' immediate release, questioning why activists remained behind bars.
CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh alleged that the proceedings had become a "mockery" of justice, citing repeated objections to the verification of sureties submitted for the leaders' release. She claimed the hearing scheduled for 2 pm on Monday began only around 3 to 3.30 pm and that the subsequent custody extension lacked sufficient grounds. Singh also questioned the functioning of Special Executive Magistrate courts, alleging that the process was compromised. Advocate Abhik Chimni, representing Das and Ranka, expressed disappointment over the order. He said the defence had submitted fresh sureties and supporting documents, but objections continued to be raised. The CJP has indicated that it will challenge the custody order before a higher court.
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain accused CJP protesters of acting at the behest of foreign forces. Speaking to reporters, Hussain also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of attempting to discredit Indian democracy. His remarks added to the political exchanges surrounding the demonstrations and the continued detention of the two leaders.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using state institutions to intimidate young protesters. He maintained that Das and Ranka remained determined despite spending several days in custody. Dipke said the two leaders had entered the courtroom smiling and would not abandon their demands. The dispute over their detention comes amid continuing protests against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The two CJP leaders are scheduled to be produced before the magistrate on Wednesday, when further proceedings concerning their custody are expected.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.