‘We will evolve in necessary ways’:  CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka announces continuation of protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

October 23, 2026

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leader Ashutosh Ranka said on Friday that the organization will make necessary changes, but the movement demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will continue. The protest is being held over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of voter lists.

On Friday, CJP co-convenors Ranka and Saurav Das, along with national organization in-charge Ajinkya Shinde, reached the Mandir Marg police station in Delhi. A day earlier, they had sought more time to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning. CJP legal affairs chief Ratna Singh was also present with them.

Das, Ranka, and Shinde were asked to appear at the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at 12 noon on Thursday. However, the three requested additional time for their appearance.

Waiting for the Crime Branch’s next date

After leaving the police station, Ranka told reporters that they had not yet received the next date for questioning. He explained that they had been unable to appear on the scheduled date, and the police had been informed of this.

Ranka said, “We have not yet received the next date. We were unable to appear on the first date, so we informed them. They said they would confirm the time. Now we are waiting for the Crime Branch’s response.”

He further stated that after his release from judicial custody on Friday, the process of verifying sureties was completed. According to him, this process was completed properly, and he has been given a next date in the third week of November.

Whether in or out of jail, the movement will continue: Ranka

The CJP leader clarified that his movement against SIR will continue. He said that he does not consider himself a leader, but a guardian of the platform given to him by the people of the country.

Ranka said, “We are not leaders. We are custodians of this platform given to us by the people of the country. We are simply doing our best. Whether we are in jail or out, the movement will continue.”

He said that this entire incident has taught him a lot about himself and how the current system works. He reiterated that the organization will make necessary changes as the circumstances dictate and move forward.

Das and Ranka were in Tihar Jail for a week

CJP leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday. Both had been in judicial custody for about a week.

Earlier this week, the Delhi Police transferred the protest cases filed against CJP leaders to the Crime Branch.

These cases relate to the October 13 incident. According to the police, on that day, Das, Ranka, Shinde, and 11 others entered Jantar Mantar, which was not notified as a designated protest site. The police detained all of them.

Shinde was released on bail, while Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody for a week.