Delhi Police transfers second CJP case to Crime Branch as Ranka, Das remain in custody

Delhi Police has handed over a second case involving jailed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, officials told PTI. This brings two cases against the party leaders under the specialised unit’s investigation.

This comes after another case linked to the duo was assigned to the Crime Branch. That case relates to their alleged unauthorised entry into the Jantar Mantar area, which is no longer designated as a protest site.

According to Delhi Police, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and several other CJP members reached Jantar Mantar on October 13. The group allegedly entered the area by trespassing through private property.

Police personnel deployed at the location intervened and attempted to stop them. All 14 members were detained, and two FIRs were registered over the incident.

Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14 by a Special Executive Magistrate for allegedly violating peace bonds. Their custody was extended by another two days on Monday.

The two leaders remain in jail following the CJP’s attempt to unfurl the national flag at Jantar Mantar. They allegedly climbed over a locked gate despite signing peace bonds on October 10. CJP members were also accused of crossing police barricades to enter the restricted protest area.

During the incident, the co-convenors allegedly raised slogans calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

CJP founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke described Das and Ranka as the key decision-makers behind the movement. In a 16-minute video posted on X on Tuesday, Dipke said the two had played a central role in advancing the movement. He referred to them as his brothers and portrayed himself as someone who followed their directions.

Dipke announced that the party would not hold protests until Diwali. He also appealed to CJP supporters, who call themselves “cockroaches”, to take a break and spend time with their families.