The judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka has triggered a political controversy in the national capital. The two leaders were reportedly sent to five days of judicial custody following a protest-related incident at Jantar Mantar, where they were accused of entering the designated area without authorisation and violating the conditions of a bond to maintain peace.
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, criticised the action. Gandhi argued that unfurling the national flag during a peaceful protest should not be treated as a crime, while Kejriwal questioned the basis for the action.
Police sources, however, said the case involved allegations beyond the act of raising the national flag. These reportedly included unauthorised entry, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from performing official duties.
Rahul Gandhi Condemns the Custody of CJP Leaders
Rahul Gandhi criticised the decision to send Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody. In a social media post, he said that unfurling the national flag during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar was not a crime.
He described the imprisonment of young people in connection with the incident as wrong and emphasised the importance of citizens’ constitutional rights. Gandhi said students, young people, journalists and opposition groups might organise themselves under different banners, but their demonstrations could reflect a common demand for the protection of citizens’ rights.
Gandhi also described Jantar Mantar as a place belonging to the people of India and said it would be reclaimed. His remarks brought the issue of access to designated protest sites and the right to demonstrate into the political spotlight.
The Congress leader’s statement reflects the opposition’s criticism of the restrictions on protests. The police allegations, however, also refer to compliance with legal orders and the conditions of a peace bond, making the details of the case important to understanding the action.
Arvind Kejriwal Questions the Police Action
Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the judicial custody of the CJP leaders. In his social media response, the AAP national convenor questioned whether raising the Indian national flag in one’s own country could be treated as a crime and described the situation as unreasonable.
His statement added to the political criticism surrounding the incident. The issue has become a point of debate over the treatment of demonstrators, the use of the national flag during protests and the rules governing public demonstrations.
However, the police account indicates that the action was also linked to alleged unauthorised entry and a breach of the conditions imposed to maintain peace. The allegations must be assessed through the relevant legal proceedings, and judicial custody itself does not establish guilt.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Sent to Five-Day Judicial Custody
According to police sources, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were produced before a court on Wednesday and sent to five days of judicial custody. Reports also indicated that they were taken to Tihar Jail.
Police alleged that the two had violated a bond requiring them to maintain peace and had entered Jantar Mantar without the necessary authorisation. According to the account provided by police sources, the two had signed a bond to maintain peace for one year after being detained during a protest on Saturday.
The case reportedly includes allegations of unauthorised entry, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of the peace bond and preventing a public servant from carrying out official duties.
These allegations are part of the case and should not be treated as proven findings. The final legal position will depend on the proceedings before the competent court.
Recognition of Jantar Mantar as a Protest Site Withdrawn
The controversy has also drawn attention to the reported withdrawal of Jantar Mantar’s recognition as a designated protest site. According to the information available, authorities took the decision on Monday, ending its status as a designated location for demonstrations.
Alternative locations reportedly identified for protests and rallies include Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan and the CBD ground in East Delhi.
The available account states that the Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to identify alternative locations where citizens could exercise their right to protest. The decision concerning Jantar Mantar was reportedly taken on the basis of the committee’s recommendations.
The move has raised questions about how public demonstrations will be organised in the national capital and what locations will remain available to protesters. While authorities have to consider public safety and the maintenance of order, opposition leaders and demonstrators have raised concerns about access to public protest spaces.
CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Criticises the Central Government
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the government over the incident. He accused the authorities of attempting to suppress dissent and questioned the decision to place Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka in judicial custody.
Dipke argued that the two had been detained over unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar. In a social media statement addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that if the government intended to suppress dissent, it should have the courage to officially declare an Emergency rather than rely on what he described as indirect measures.
The statement represents Dipke’s political criticism of the government and should not be interpreted as an official announcement or decision regarding an Emergency.
SIR-Related Protests Also in Focus
The incident has taken place against the backdrop of demonstrations concerning alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. According to the information available, CJP and other organisations have held protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protests and the subsequent police action have brought questions about security arrangements, protest permissions and the handling of demonstrations in Delhi into focus.
Any direct legal connection between the SIR-related allegations and the action at Jantar Mantar would require confirmation from relevant documents and official statements. The issues form part of the wider political context, but should not automatically be treated as one legally established case.
Debate Over Protest Rights and Public Order Intensifies
The judicial custody of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka has developed into a broader debate about peaceful protest, the national flag, administrative restrictions and citizens’ constitutional rights.
Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have criticised the action and emphasised the importance of the right to protest. Police sources, meanwhile, have cited alleged violations of legal restrictions and the conditions of a bond to maintain peace.
The next developments will depend on the court proceedings, the relevant orders and further official information about the restrictions on protests at Jantar Mantar. Until the legal process establishes the facts, the allegations against the two leaders should remain distinguished from any final finding of guilt.
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