CJP Leaders Summoned by Delhi Police Following Jail Release

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have been summoned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning. This development comes just one day after their release from Tihar Jail on October 21, 2026. The police have requested their presence at the Rajouri Garden office on October 22, 2026, for further inquiries into two cases against them.

The legal troubles for Das and Ranka stem from incidents that occurred on October 13, when they were detained for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which had been denotified as a protest site. They were accused of obstructing police personnel and disobeying government orders. Following their arrest, they were remanded to judicial custody, which was extended twice before their eventual release.

On the day of their release, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ritu Raj, acting as a Special Executive Magistrate, accepted their sureties despite the Delhi Police's request for an extension of their custody due to concerns over law and order. The summons for questioning was issued after the police transferred the cases to the Crime Branch, highlighting the sensitive nature of the allegations.

The FIRs against the CJP leaders were filed at Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations, citing various charges including disobedience of a public servant's order and criminal conspiracy. The allegations indicate that 14 CJP members entered the protest site through private premises, leading to their detention and subsequent legal actions.

Looking ahead, the Crime Branch's investigation will determine the next steps for Das and Ranka. As they prepare for questioning, the implications of these cases could have broader effects on public protests and the legal framework surrounding them in Delhi.