Two leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, did not appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday for questioning in connection with a protest at Jantar Mantar on 13 October. The leaders, along with Ajinkya Shinde, have sought additional time, according to information attributed to Crime Branch sources by Live Hindustan.
The three had been called to the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at noon as part of the investigation into the protest. They did not attend the questioning, and the police may issue a fresh notice after considering their request for more time.
The case concerns the regulation of demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, a public location where protests are subject to legal and administrative conditions. According to the police, the site was not notified as a designated protest venue when the incident took place. Police have alleged that protesters entered an area through the route of private premises and violated conditions linked to maintaining public order.
The development follows proceedings before Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj. The court directed Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to furnish personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each. They were also instructed to attend all hearings and comply with the conditions attached to the bonds.
The two leaders gave written assurances to the court that they would not disturb the peace and would maintain public order. They also assured the court that they would not call for another demonstration at Jantar Mantar until the location was notified again under the law. Any future protests, they said, would remain within the constitutional framework.
On the basis of those assurances, the court observed that continued judicial custody was not necessary at that stage. It also made clear that the investigation would continue in accordance with law. The order places the case within the larger administrative framework governing public demonstrations: access to a public space does not by itself remove the requirement to comply with notification, permission and public-order conditions.
The immediate procedural question is whether the Crime Branch will issue a new notice and fix another date for questioning. The police investigation remains pending, and the supplied report does not indicate that the leaders have been questioned in the present summons cycle or that the allegations have been adjudicated.
The next hearing before the Special Executive Magistrate is scheduled for 23 October at 3pm. Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and their sureties have been directed to remain present on that date. The court is also expected to receive a report from the investigating officer concerning verification of the sureties.
