CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Sent To 5 Days’ Judicial Custody After Jantar Mantar Protest

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das have been sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail after allegedly entering the now-denotified protest area at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi without permission.

The Delhi Police produced the two leaders before the Special Executive Magistrate Court at Mandir Marg on Wednesday morning following their preventive arrest.

Preventive arrest empowers police to detain individuals without a warrant in certain circumstances to prevent a cognisable offence or breach of peace.

CJP Leader Claims Arrest Over Raising ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ Slogan

CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde alleged that Ranka and Das were jailed for waving the national flag and raising the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.

“You may know that Ashutosh, Saurav Das and I, along with volunteers from CJP, went to Jantar Mantar. We simply waved the Indian national flag and raised the slogan of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. For this, the dictatorial Modi-Shah government has sent Saurav and Ashutosh to jail for five days,” Shinde said.

He also pointed out that Tuesday was Ranka’s birthday and alleged that the action violated citizens’ fundamental rights.

“I want to tell the people of the entire country that this government has begun using its system and misusing its powers to violate the fundamental rights of the people of this country,” he said, appealing to people to unite against the government.

Shinde added that the arrests would not intimidate the two leaders, claiming they had entered jail with their heads held high and remained determined not to be afraid.

CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Targets PM Modi

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the action, questioning the grounds for sending the two leaders to judicial custody.

“Ashu [Ranka] and Saurav [Das] have been sent to 5 days judicial custody. Their fault? Unfurling tricolour at Jantar Mantar,” Dipke said in a post.

Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added: “Show some guts, @narendramodi. If you’re so determined to crush dissent, have the courage to officially declare an Emergency instead of hiding behind these cowardly tactics.”

The arrests have triggered criticism from CJP leaders, who allege that the action was aimed at curbing dissent. The police action followed the alleged unauthorised entry into the designated protest area at Jantar Mantar.