Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka arrived at Delhi's Mandir Marg Police Station on Friday afternoon to participate in a police investigation. Their appearance comes just one day after they failed to comply with previous summons issued in connection with two legal cases filed against them regarding activities at the Jantar Mantar protest site.
Addressing the media briefly before entering the police station, Saurav Das remained cautious regarding the next steps in their legal battle. When questioned by reporters about whether he intended to approach the high court, Das stated, "Let's see what happens here." He was accompanied to the station by the party’s legal affairs head, Ratna Singh.
The current legal proceedings follow a period of detention that began on October 13. On that day, Das and Ranka, along with fellow party member Ajinkya Shinde and ten other associates, scaled an iron gate to enter Jantar Mantar. The site had previously been de-notified as a permitted protest location. While most of the group was released within 24 hours of their detention, Das and Ranka were arrested due to a violation of a bond they had signed on October 11, which mandated that they maintain peace for one year.
The two leaders spent approximately one week in judicial custody. Initially, the duo was remanded to five days of custody, which a magistrate court subsequently extended by two additional days on October 19. During that hearing, the court noted that the leaders had "showed no respect for law" and also raised concerns regarding the validity of the sureties provided by their legal representatives.
Following their time in custody, a special executive magistrate ordered their release on Wednesday. This decision was contingent upon the leaders providing written undertakings to the assistant commissioner of police, Ritu Raj, who served as the special executive magistrate for the New Delhi district. In these signed documents, both leaders committed to upholding peace and public tranquility, specifically promising they would refrain from issuing any calls for protests at Jantar Mantar until the location is officially re-notified as a designated protest site.
Prior to Friday’s appearance, the situation had remained tense as the police reported difficulties in coordinating with the leadership. A senior police officer stated that the crime branch of the Delhi Police had issued a formal notice to Das, Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde requesting their presence for questioning on Thursday. According to the officer, the group had previously requested an extension of time, but failed to appear at the designated session, necessitating the issuance of subsequent notices to all three individuals.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the adherence to the undertakings provided to the magistrate. The police department has maintained that the investigation into the trespassing allegations will move forward as planned, with further notices for questioning expected if necessary. For now, the CJP leadership remains under scrutiny as the legal process in the national capital unfolds.
Comments