CJP Leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Appear Before Delhi Police Crime Branch

October 23, 2026

New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday for questioning in connection with the October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar.

The two leaders had earlier been summoned by the Crime Branch but sought more time to appear. They were released from custody on Wednesday after submitting written undertakings that they would maintain peace and not engage in similar protest activities at Jantar Mantar while the site remains denotified.

The cases against Das and Ranka were recently transferred to the Crime Branch. Both are being questioned in connection with two separate cases registered over allegations of trespassing and obstructing public servants during the October 13 protest.

Cases Transferred to Crime Branch

Das and Ranka were initially sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14 after being detained in connection with the CJP protest. Their custody was extended by two days on October 19 and ended on Wednesday.

Following their release, the two leaders were directed to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each. These conditions will remain in place until the inquiry is concluded.

Court Releases CJP Leaders After Written Undertaking

The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court ordered their release on Wednesday after they gave written assurances that they would not breach the peace or call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains denotified.

The order came after police sought a three-day extension of their custody. Police argued that concerns over a possible breach of peace and disruption of law and order remained because of the leaders’ previous conduct and media statements.

According to the court order, police also raised concerns over what they described as contradictory statements made by the two leaders in court and in the media about whether they would refrain from similar activities. Their written response during Wednesday’s proceedings was also cited in this context.

CJP and Political Leaders Welcome Their Release

The CJP welcomed the release of Das and Ranka. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke described the two leaders as “much, much bigger leaders” than himself, while the party’s legal head, Ratna Singh, said the decision should have come earlier.

AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal also welcomed the court’s decision and said the entire nation stood with the two leaders.

Earlier, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said their judicial detention was related to an alleged violation of a peace bond and not to their attempt to unfurl the national flag.