CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Released After 7 Days in Jail as Crime Branch Takes Over Both Cases

In a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were ordered to be released after spending seven days in judicial custody, even as Delhi Police transferred both cases against them to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

The release order came on Wednesday after the two leaders had remained in Tihar Jail since October 14. Delhi Police had sought a further three-day extension of their custody.

The developments unfolded alongside legal proceedings in the Delhi High Court, where the activists had challenged the extension of their judicial custody. Justice Subramonium Prasad questioned whether their petition was maintainable and indicated that they should pursue the appropriate legal remedy. The petition was subsequently withdrawn.

The court also questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged breach of peace bonds furnished by the activists. The proceedings, however, did not bring the underlying police cases to an end.

Delhi Police has now transferred both cases against Das and Ranka to its Crime Branch. One case relates to the alleged entry of CJP members into the Jantar Mantar area, which is no longer a designated protest site. The second case is linked to allegations of breaching peace bonds.

According to the police, 14 CJP members, including Das, Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, reached Jantar Mantar on October 13 by allegedly trespassing through private premises. Police personnel intervened, detained the group and registered two FIRs.

Das and Ranka were subsequently placed in judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate for alleged breaches of peace bonds. Their custody was extended by two days on Monday before the latest release order.

Their release does not mean the cases have been closed or that they have been acquitted. The Crime Branch will now investigate the allegations in both cases.

The case has drawn attention to the legal battle surrounding the CJP activists and their attempt to protest at Jantar Mantar, a prominent site for demonstrations in the national capital.