The Delhi Police Crime Branch has summoned Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to record their statements in two cases connected with the party’s protest at Jantar Mantar. CJP member Ajinkya Shinde has also been summoned in the matter.
Das and Ranka have been directed to appear at the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at 12 noon on Thursday. The summons were issued a day after the two leaders were released from Tihar Jail following seven days in judicial custody.
The investigation relates to allegations of trespassing and disobedience of an order issued by a public servant. The cases stem from an October 13 attempt by CJP members to enter the Jantar Mantar area and unfurl the national flag during a demonstration seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Two FIRs transferred to Crime Branch
Both cases arising from the incident were transferred by the Delhi Police to the Crime Branch for further investigation. One FIR was registered at Connaught Place police station, while the other was filed at Parliament Street police station.
The CJP members had attempted to enter Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a designated protest site. The group allegedly crossed barricades and entered the area through a private establishment, after which police personnel intervened.
The Connaught Place FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant, house trespass and criminal conspiracy.
The Parliament Street case concerns allegations of obstructing and assaulting public servants, along with causing hurt to police personnel during the incident. The transfer of both FIRs to the specialised unit has opened a further stage in the investigation.
Leaders released after seven days in custody
Das and Ranka left Tihar Jail on Wednesday after a Special Executive Magistrate declined the Delhi Police request to extend their judicial custody by three days.
They had been in custody since October 14 after proceedings were initiated over concerns of a breach of peace and alleged violations of peace bonds furnished earlier. The magistrate ordered their release after they submitted personal bonds and sureties of Rs 50,000 each, along with written undertakings to maintain peace and public tranquillity.
Under the undertakings, the two leaders agreed not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains denotified. They also agreed to ensure that any future demonstrations remain within the constitutional framework.
The court held that continued judicial custody was not required in view of the assurances provided by the leaders. Das and Ranka have been directed to comply with their bonds and undertakings and attend subsequent proceedings.
Protest over electoral-roll revision
The CJP has been seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the deletion of voters’ names.
Das and Ranka were first detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport on October 10 before a planned protest. They were released after furnishing peace bonds of Rs 50,000 each.
They were detained again on October 14 following the Jantar Mantar protest, with the police initiating further proceedings over the reported breach of those bonds. The latest summons requires the two leaders to appear before the Crime Branch as its investigation into the two FIRs continues.
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