Delhi Police have cited alleged repeated violations of law and public-order concerns after Cockroach Janta Party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were sent to five days of judicial custody at Tihar jail for allegedly entering the now-denotified Jantar Mantar protest area without permission.
The two were arrested on Wednesday, a day after police said a group of 14 people entered the protest site through a narrow lane behind the Janata Dal (United) office. According to the police, the group climbed over a locked iron gate, entered the heavily barricaded area, unfurled the Tricolour and raised slogans before being detained.
The police said the group included Ranka, Das and Ajinkya Shinde. An officer claimed that some CJP members had conducted a reconnaissance of the area on Monday night to identify a route into the site. Police also alleged that members jostled officers who attempted to stop them and obstructed them in the discharge of their duties.
Two cases have been registered against the group. The first, at Connaught Place police station, invokes provisions relating to disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, house trespass and criminal conspiracy. The second case was registered at Parliament Street police station.
In a statement, Delhi Police said Ranka, Das and Shinde were arrested under preventive provisions of law because of their alleged repeated attempts to disturb public peace and violate the law. The police also said the alleged use of social media to encourage others to participate in similar unlawful activities was taken into consideration.
The three were produced before the Special Executive Magistrate court at Mandir Marg. Police said Ranka and Das were sent to five days of judicial custody because of the alleged repeated violations and a serious apprehension that they could again violate the law or instigate others if released on bail.
Shinde was released after furnishing a bail bond of Rs 5,000. The condition of his release is that he must not participate for one year in any activity that could breach peace.
The arrests follow an earlier incident on October 10, when the CJP and the All India Students’ Association had called a march at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Chief Election Commissioner. Ranka and Das were detained then and released after signing a bond of Rs 50,000, which required them not to break the law for at least a year.
The latest police action comes as access to the Jantar Mantar protest area remains subject to restrictions after its denotification. The cases and custody orders place renewed focus on how Delhi authorities are enforcing rules governing demonstrations and access to a prominent central-city public space.
