Three leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) did not appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday, October 22. They had been summoned for questioning in connection with a case linked to the party’s protest at Jantar Mantar.
The leaders, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, were asked to report to the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at noon. However, none of them appeared at the scheduled time. Instead, they sought additional time to join the investigation.
According to reports, Delhi Police will issue fresh notices to the three activists. The authorities have not announced a revised date for their questioning.
The development came just one day after Das and Ranka were released from judicial custody. They had spent seven days in custody over the October 13 protest and allegations of breaching peace bonds.
The latest summons form part of the continuing investigation into the events surrounding the demonstration. The case has drawn attention to the CJP’s campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. <Cite refs={[“turn147440search0″,”turn147440search1″,”turn147440search3”]}/>
Court Releases Das and Ranka on Bonds
On Wednesday, October 21, a Special Executive Magistrate court ordered the release of Das and Ranka. The decision followed their submission of written undertakings and personal and surety bonds worth ₹50,000 each.
The court concluded that further judicial custody was not necessary at that stage. However, it imposed conditions aimed at maintaining peace and preventing further disturbances.
Both activists promised to comply with the law and avoid actions that could disturb public order. They also undertook not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the venue remained officially de-notified as a designated protest site.
The court directed them to attend future hearings and comply with the conditions attached to their release. Their bonds will remain valid until the conclusion of the inquiry.
The investigating officer must also submit a report verifying the sureties. The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on October 23 at 3 pm.
The release came after the police sought additional custody, citing concerns about a possible breach of peace. The defence opposed the request and argued that continued detention was unnecessary. It also offered an apology over the conduct raised during the proceedings. <Cite refs={[“turn147440search0″,”turn147440search5”]}/>
Crime Branch Takes Over Jantar Mantar Cases
The Crime Branch is investigating cases connected to the CJP’s October 13 protest. Delhi Police transferred the cases from the local police station earlier this week.
The summons reportedly concern a trespassing case linked to a complaint by the Janata Dal (United), whose office borders the protest site.
Police allege that the activists entered the barricaded area at Jantar Mantar through private premises. They were also accused of violating restrictions intended to prevent a breach of peace.
The venue had been de-notified as a designated protest site. Authorities have cited public order concerns and alleged violations of earlier undertakings while explaining their actions.
The protest was organised against the SIR exercise and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP members alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and demanded Kumar’s resignation.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the protest, the alleged entry into the restricted area and the conduct of those involved. The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings.
CJP Protest Focuses on SIR and Voter Rights
The CJP has made opposition to the SIR exercise a central part of its campaign. The party alleges that the process could lead to the removal of eligible voters from electoral rolls.
It has also accused the Election Commission of failing to ensure transparency in the revision process. The party has demanded Kumar’s resignation over what it describes as irregularities in voter-list management.
The Election Commission, however, maintains that the SIR exercise is intended to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls. It has defended the process and said that eligible voters can follow the prescribed procedures to secure their inclusion.
The dispute has become a wider political issue, with opposition parties raising concerns about voter rights and electoral transparency. The CJP has sought to draw public attention to these questions through demonstrations and online campaigns.
However, the legal proceedings concerning the Jantar Mantar protest remain separate from the broader political debate over the SIR exercise. Police are investigating the alleged violations linked to the demonstration.
Leaders Previously Faced Extended Detention
Das and Ranka were initially placed in judicial custody on October 14. Their custody was extended by two days on October 19 after the magistrate considered concerns raised by the police.
The authorities argued that their release could create further law-and-order problems. They also cited alleged differences between the activists’ statements, media remarks and written responses.
The defence challenged the extension before the Delhi High Court. However, the High Court declined to intervene at that stage, noting that the matter was already before the magistrate. The activists later withdrew their petition and pursued relief before the lower court.
The magistrate subsequently ordered their release after considering the written undertakings and bond conditions.
Following their release, the activists were seen raising slogans while holding the national flag. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video of the moment on social media. The slogans included calls for Kumar’s removal.
The developments have kept the party’s protest campaign in the public eye. They have also highlighted the continuing legal dispute over demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
Fresh Notices Expected as Investigation Continues
The failure of the three leaders to appear on Thursday does not end the investigation. Police are expected to issue fresh notices after receiving their request for additional time.
The authorities have not publicly confirmed the reasons given for seeking the extension. Nor have they announced when the activists must appear next.
The court proceedings involving Das and Ranka will continue separately. Both leaders must comply with the conditions imposed at the time of their release and attend future hearings as directed.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch investigation will focus on the allegations connected to the October 13 protest. Its findings could determine the next steps in the case.
The episode reflects the continuing tension between the CJP’s campaign for electoral reform and police restrictions on public demonstrations. The party argues that its demands concern democratic rights and voter protection. The police, meanwhile, have cited alleged violations and concerns about public order.
As the investigation proceeds, the key questions will be whether the activists complied with the applicable restrictions and what evidence supports the allegations. The next round of notices and the October 23 court hearing are expected to bring further developments.