Delhi Police Detain CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde Again After Jantar Mantar Entry

Delhi Police Detain CJP Leaders at Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde on Tuesday, October 13, after they entered the Jantar Mantar premises in New Delhi.

According to media reports, the activists attempted to cross a gate and enter the site after it was officially removed from the list of designated protest venues. Police personnel intervened and took the group into custody.

The incident followed the party’s repeated attempts to organise demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision.

CJP Leaders Say They Entered the Protest Site

Following the incident, Das claimed in a social media post that the group had entered Jantar Mantar before being detained. He described the action as an attempt to reclaim the protest site and urged young supporters to continue their campaign.

Ranka also posted a message opposing restrictions on access to Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said several party members carrying the national flag had entered the premises before police detained them.

The activists presented their entry as a symbolic protest against the decision to remove Jantar Mantar’s designated protest-site status.

Jantar Mantar Removed From List of Designated Protest Venues

The detentions came a day after Delhi Police officially de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations.

According to the official notice reported by the media, authorities designated three alternative locations for public demonstrations:

• Ramlila Ground

• Burari Ground

• CBD Ground in east Delhi

The decision followed a review of alternative protest venues by a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The authorities said the alternative locations were identified following the committee’s recommendations.

Why Is CJP Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation?

The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Opposition groups have raised concerns about the revision process and alleged that electoral-roll changes could affect voters’ participation. The Election Commission has defended its procedures, while the BJP has criticised allegations of electoral manipulation.

The CJP’s campaign has included calls for demonstrations in Delhi. Police have cited security and public-order considerations while restricting protests at Jantar Mantar following its de-notification. The allegations concerning electoral-roll irregularities remain contested.

Detentions Follow Earlier Preventive Arrests

The latest detentions came shortly after CJP leaders had been released from preventive detention.

On October 11, Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released by an executive magistrate after a surety bond of ₹50,000 was furnished. The release was subject to conditions requiring them to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.

The leaders had been detained ahead of an earlier planned protest seeking the Election Commission chief’s resignation. The October 13 incident marked another confrontation between the activists and Delhi Police over access to the protest site.

Police Action and Possible Legal Proceedings

Media reports said police detained the activists after they crossed a gate and entered the premises. India Today reported that police were considering registering a First Information Report (FIR), although there was no immediate confirmation that one had been filed.

The legal position will depend on the applicable orders, the circumstances of the entry and any further action taken by the authorities. Detention alone does not establish that an offence has been proved.

CJP Vows to Continue Its Campaign

Despite the detentions, CJP members said they would continue raising concerns over the electoral-roll revision process and the removal of Jantar Mantar from the designated protest venues.

The episode highlights the continuing dispute between protest organisers and authorities over the location and regulation of demonstrations in the national capital. Any further protest activity will be subject to applicable permissions, restrictions and legal requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Delhi Police detained CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde on October 13, 2026.

• The detentions followed their attempt to enter Jantar Mantar after it was de-notified as a designated protest venue.

• The CJP is demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.

• Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground were identified as alternative protest venues.

• The detentions came two days after several CJP leaders were released subject to conditions to maintain peace and good behaviour.

• Police were reportedly considering further legal action, but an FIR had not been confirmed in the cited report.

• Allegations regarding electoral-roll revision remain contested.