Delhi Police Transfers Second Case Against CJP Leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to Crime Branch

October 21, 2026

New Delhi: Delhi Police has transferred a second case against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch. The move comes amid ongoing legal proceedings over their detention and the allegations linked to the party members’ entry into the Jantar Mantar area.

According to reports, the Crime Branch will now investigate two cases involving the CJP leaders. The first case, linked to their alleged entry into Jantar Mantar through private premises, was transferred to the Crime Branch on Monday. The second case was transferred on Tuesday.

The cases stem from an incident on October 13, when Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members allegedly entered the Jantar Mantar area by passing through private premises. The protest site had been denotified as a designated location for demonstrations.

According to Delhi Police, personnel deployed in the area intervened and attempted to stop the group. All 14 members were detained, and two FIRs were registered in connection with the incident.

CJP Leaders Challenge Extension of Judicial Custody

The case transfers come as Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka challenge the extension of their judicial custody before the Delhi High Court.

The two leaders have questioned an order passed on October 19 by a Special Executive Magistrate in New Delhi district. Their legal team has argued that keeping them in custody despite the submission of sureties violates their fundamental right to liberty.

The proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Their lawyers have described the continued detention as arbitrary and contrary to established legal principles.

According to the legal team, the magistrate rejected fresh sureties submitted on October 19 and asked the leaders to explain why there should not be an apprehension of a breach of peace. The matter was scheduled to be heard on October 21.

Lawyers Question Continued Detention Despite Sureties

The legal team has maintained that Das and Ranka repeatedly furnished sureties but remained in custody. The leaders are challenging the decision to extend their detention despite those submissions.

Their lawyers also said the two leaders were detained on October 10 after arriving at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Preventive proceedings were initiated the following day, and they were subsequently released after executing bonds of Rs 50,000 each.

On October 14, the leaders were sent to five days of judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate in proceedings related to alleged breaches of peace bonds. Their custody was extended by another two days on Monday, according to the supplied report.

The transfer of the two cases to the Crime Branch adds another development to the ongoing proceedings involving the CJP leaders. The investigation into the cases and the legal challenge to their detention are continuing.