New Delhi: Despite various government regulations, reaching Jantar Mantar in the capital has proven costly for leaders of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP). The Delhi Police has taken strict action against these CJP leaders; Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde have been placed under preventive arrest. Earlier, an FIR had been registered against these leaders for entering the Jantar Mantar area without permission.
CJP legal representative Ratna Singh made a significant statement in a post on the social media platform X. Reports indicate that Saurav, Ashutosh, and Ajinkya are expected to be produced before the SEM (Special Executive Magistrate) at the Mandir Marg Police Station within an hour. According to the CJP, the 24-hour deadline is about to expire.
Violation of Bond Conditions
According to the Delhi Police, the FIR includes sections related to the violation of conditions set in a previously executed ‘peace bond’ intended to maintain public order. Police stated that this action was taken after CJP activists scaled heavy barricades to enter the Jantar Mantar area and raised slogans targeting the Chief Election Commissioner. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites.
Protests of any kind are no longer permitted there. On Tuesday morning, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and other CJP members were detained after entering the area in alleged violation of prohibitory orders. The organisation claims that approximately 11 of its members have been detained.
Where Were the Protesters Taken?
A Delhi Police official stated that the detained protesters were taken to the Jafarpur Kalan police station in the Dwarka district. CJP activists began gathering outside the police station, where tight security arrangements were put in place. CJP founder Dipke described the organisation’s move as an attempt to reassert its right to protest at Jantar Mantar. Dipke stated that their agitation would continue regardless of the site being removed from the list of designated protest venues.
Conditions under which CJP leaders were released
On October 10, three key CJP leaders, Abhijit Dipke, Sourav Das, and Ashutosh Rank, were detained immediately upon their arrival in Delhi from Mumbai. Due to tight security arrangements and the heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces across the city, the planned protest against Gyanesh Kumar could not take place. A day later, the three CJP leaders were released on the condition that they would not disturb the peace for a period of one year.
Where can people protest?
It is worth noting that on October 11, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Maidan, and CBD Maidan as the new venues for sit-ins and protests. Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of authorised protest sites. According to the CJP, representatives of the organisation visited the Sansad Marg police station that same day to finalise the date and time for a peaceful protest.
