Full Breakdown
Delhi Police Transfer Two CJP Cases to Crime Branch Amid Custody Extensions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Transfer of Cases and Extended Judicial Custody
On Tuesday, Delhi Police moved a second case involving Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, bringing the total number of investigations against the pair under that unit to two. The transfer follows an earlier move of a related trespassing case on the preceding Monday. Both leaders were initially placed in five-day judicial custody on October 14 after a Special Executive Magistrate found them in breach of peace bonds. Their detention was prolonged by an additional two days on October 19, extending their stay in Tihar Jail until October 21.
Background & Context: Protest at Denotified Jantar Mantar
Police reports state that on October 13, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and eleven other CJP members entered the Jantar Mantar area by trespassing through private premises. The site had been denotified as a designated protest venue. While on the ground, the group allegedly waved the national flag and chanted slogans calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has denied any political bias in the revision process.
Official Statements & Responses
Delhi Police described the transfer to the Crime Branch as a procedural step to investigate the alleged trespass and breach of peace. The police also noted that the protest participants were detained and two FIRs were registered. The Election Commission issued a statement rejecting claims of bias in the SIR exercise. A court-appointed Special Executive Magistrate rejected the leaders’ bail sureties, citing concerns over public order and tranquility.
Criticism & Opposition
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke publicly questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, suggesting that the handling of the case reflected a broader pattern of suppressing dissent. The CJP leaders’ advocate criticized the extension of judicial custody, labeling it “preventive custody” without any pending FIR in the matter and describing the police’s rationale as “shocking” and “deeply disturbing.” He indicated plans to pursue legal remedies against what he termed an unjust detention.
These developments underscore the tension between protest rights and law-enforcement actions in Delhi, with the Crime Branch now overseeing the ongoing investigations.