Delhi Police handed the Jantar Mantar trespass case to the Crime Branch on Tuesday, October 20, completing the transfer of two FIRs filed against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The first case, stemming from their entry into Connaught Place, moved to the Crime Branch the previous day.
The incident traces back to October 13, when Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde, and 11 other CJP members allegedly bypassed the site’s restrictions by trespassing through private property to reach Jantar Mantar. Police deployed at the location intervened, detaining all 14 individuals. Two FIRs followed, and a Special Executive Magistrate sent Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody on October 14 for breaching peace bonds.
Their detention has now stretched further. A court extended their judicial custody by two days on Monday, October 19. In response, the CJP’s legal team approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, seeking an urgent hearing on their bail pleas. Ratna Singh, the party’s Legal Affairs Head, posted on X that Das and Ranka "should not spend a single minute behind bars," labeling the state’s actions as "political games" aimed at curtailing their liberty.
The situation drew sharp criticism from former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On Tuesday, she accused central authorities of "state-sponsored terrorism" and "police-sponsored atrocities," alleging the duo was subjected to torture. She described the attempts to extend their custody as a "threat to democracy" and demanded their immediate release.
The Delhi High Court is expected to schedule the bail hearing in the coming days, with the Crime Branch preparing its preliminary investigation reports for submission to the judge.