New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) workers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five-day judicial custody after being detained during a protest near Jantar Mantar. Party member Ajinkya Shinde announced this on Wednesday. He said that the party workers will not be intimidated by this action and will continue their protest.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also confirmed the two workers’ judicial custody. He alleged on social media that the action was taken against the workers for hoisting the tricolor. He targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that if the government wants to suppress voices of dissent, it should have the courage to officially declare a state of emergency.
Accused of waving the tricolor and raising patriotic slogans
CJP activist Ajinkya Shinde, who was taken into preventive custody along with Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, alleged in a conversation with reporters that the activists were detained for waving the Indian tricolor and raising slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
According to Shinde, he had gone to Jantar Mantar with CJP volunteers on Tuesday. He claimed that the activists only waved the national flag and raised patriotic slogans, but after that, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to judicial custody for five days.
He said that if the government thinks that imprisonment will scare the activists, it is mistaken. Shinde claimed that both activists stand firm on their stand and will continue their protest against the government.
Ajinkya Shinde also said that Ashutosh Ranka was sent to jail on his birthday, which is unfortunate. He accused the government of abusing its powers and violating the fundamental rights of citizens.
Lawyer questions police action and detention authority
Advocate Abhishat Hale, representing CJP activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde, questioned the five-day judicial custody order. He challenged the jurisdiction of the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) and objected to the grounds presented by the Delhi Police.
According to the lawyer, the police claimed in court that the activists had called people to the scene, whereas, according to him, no such call was made. He also stated that the activists had not violated the terms of the bond.
The lawyer alleged that a separate complaint filed in Connaught Place was also used in this case. He said that the police, citing Section 163 of the Indian Civil Services Code (BNSS) and other provisions, expressed apprehension that the activists might commit the alleged crime again.
The lawyer questioned the authority of the Special Executive Magistrate, arguing that the judicial magistrate has the power to issue orders such as judicial detention. He also alleged that provisions related to preventive detention are being misused to suppress dissent.
Action taken after Jantar Mantar protest site was revoked
Delhi Police detained CJP activists on Tuesday while they were attempting to enter Jantar Mantar. According to police, this action occurred a day after authorities revoked Jantar Mantar’s notification as a designated protest site. Police sources said a case has been registered in connection with the incident.
Earlier, CJP legal head Ratna Singh alleged that the activists were not allowed to meet their lawyers for several hours and were initially not informed of the reasons for their detention. She stated that the activists were likely to be produced before the concerned magistrate.
Ajinkya Shinde stated that the party’s National Executive Committee meeting would be held later in the day. The future course of action will be announced after the meeting.
This development comes amid ongoing protests by the CJP and opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.