CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Sent to 5-Day Judicial Custody; Ajinkya Shinde Released on Personal Bond

The three were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in New Delhi after being detained on Tuesday for allegedly crossing police barricades and entering Jantar Mantar, which Delhi Police recently removed from the list of designated protest sites.

CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh announced the court’s decision in a post on X, saying Das and Ranka had been sent to judicial custody while Shinde had been released on a personal bond. She also questioned the handling of protesters by the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM).

The three CJP members were booked on charges that include trespassing, violation of bond conditions and obstructing a public official in the discharge of duty, according to the information provided.

The latest action follows an earlier case linked to the party’s October 10 protest. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had been released after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000, subject to a condition that they would not be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for one year.

Police are treating Das and Ranka as repeat offenders in the latest case, with the alleged violation of their earlier bond conditions forming part of the proceedings.

The three leaders had reportedly entered the restricted area while preparing to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They were also seen raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while attempting to cross the barricades.

The detentions came amid changes to Delhi’s protest arrangements. On October 12, Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar had been de-notified as a designated protest site under Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026, following recommendations from a committee of the Union Home Ministry.

Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi have been designated as alternative venues for protests under the revised arrangements.