The Delhi Crime Branch has taken over the investigation of two FIRs linked to alleged unauthorised protests at Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, involving Citizens for Justice and Peace members Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and 12 others.
The first case, related to Connaught Place, had already been transferred to the Crime Branch. On Wednesday, the second case concerning Jantar Mantar was also handed over to the unit, bringing both investigations under the same agency, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi citing police sources.
The two FIRs were registered after events on October 13, when police alleged that members of CJP entered the Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar areas to stage protests without permission. Police said Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members reached the Jantar Mantar area through private premises. Personnel deployed at the location intervened and detained all 14 people.
The transfer places the investigation of both cases with the Crime Branch rather than leaving them with separate local police units. The police will examine the sequence of events, the alleged roles of the protesters and issues related to violations of restrictions governing demonstrations at the two central Delhi locations.
The police have said that Jantar Mantar is no longer recognised as an authorised site for protests. The cases therefore involve not only the conduct of the demonstrators but also the enforcement of rules governing public assemblies in heavily used commercial and administrative areas of the capital. Connaught Place is a major retail, office and public transport hub, while Jantar Mantar is a prominent central Delhi location historically associated with demonstrations.
The development follows the detention of the 14 CJP members and the registration of two separate FIRs. A related report cited by Jagran stated that Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were granted bail on conditions including a bond of Rs 50,000 and a direction not to protest at Jantar Mantar. The present investigation will now be conducted by the Crime Branch in both cases.
The latest police action does not establish the guilt of any of the accused. The Crime Branch investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorised entry and demonstrations, the individual roles of those named in the FIRs and the applicability of the relevant restrictions. No further investigative findings were reported in the supplied material.
