CJP Leaders Summoned by Crime Branch in Jantar Mantar Protest Case

Crime Branch Summons CJP Leaders Over Jantar Mantar Protest

The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has issued summons to top leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Ashutosh Raka alias Raka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya Shinde. They are to be questioned in connection with a protest held at Jantar Mantar on October 13, 2026. This action follows the transfer of two cases related to the protest to the Crime Branch, which may steer the investigation in a new direction.

According to police reports, CJP members allegedly protested in the Jantar Mantar area on October 13. The protesters are accused of entering an area that has since been removed from the list of notified protest sites. They also allegedly attempted to gain entry through private premises. During this incident, the police detained 14 individuals present at the scene, and two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered.

The verification of these allegations and the evaluation of the legal aspects concerning the individuals involved will be conducted under further investigation and judicial proceedings. All eyes are on the outcomes of this process.

Investigation of Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place Cases Transferred to Crime Branch

Following this development, the Delhi Police, considering the seriousness of the matter, transferred the investigation to the Crime Branch. News reports on October 20 and 21 indicated that not only the case related to the alleged protest at Jantar Mantar but also a second case concerning alleged unauthorized entry in Connaught Place have been handed over to the Crime Branch.

With this dual transfer, it is clear that a thorough and detailed investigation of both cases will now be undertaken by a specialized unit. This unit will attempt to ascertain the root causes of these incidents and the roles of the individuals involved. However, independent confirmation is still needed regarding the specific date the leaders are required to appear and the detailed agenda for the questioning, which will help determine the future course of action.

Varying Legal Status of Leaders and Judicial Process

After the incident at Jantar Mantar, two of the Cockroach Janata Party leaders, Ashutosh Raka and Saurav Das, were sent to five days of judicial custody. This was part of the initial judicial process following their arrest. Later, reports emerged of their custody period being extended by two more days, thereby increasing the duration of their interrogation.

In contrast, the party's third leader, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on a personal bond. This clearly indicates that the legal standing of the three leaders, based on their individual roles and the evidence against them, has not been uniform. The judicial process is examining each individual's case on separate grounds.

Divergent Stances of Police and Party: Allegations and Defenses

The police maintain that the protesters flagrantly violated established procedures by attempting to enter a prohibited zone and obstructed police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties, posing a challenge to law and order. According to the police, this was a deliberate act intended to disrupt order.

On the other hand, individuals associated with the Cockroach Janata Party and its supporters have raised serious questions about the impartiality of the police action and the legality of the leaders' detention. They believe the action may be politically motivated. In such cases, the truth of the allegations and the conviction of the individuals involved can only be established through a thorough investigation and solid evidence presented in court, where both sides will have an opportunity to present their arguments.

After the Crime Branch took charge of the investigation, it will be crucial to observe which specific facts, evidence, and witness statements the police examine during the interrogation. Issuing a summons is merely a preliminary procedure, a formal way to summon individuals for questioning; it cannot, in itself, be considered direct proof of a crime or an indication of guilt.

Currently, the police investigation into the Jantar Mantar protest case is actively ongoing. The future direction of the case, including statements from the leaders, new evidence gathered by the police, and decisions from ongoing judicial proceedings, will clarify the final outcome of this episode. It will also be important to see whether the case related to Connaught Place becomes connected to the Jantar Mantar case or is investigated separately.