CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka summoned by Delhi Police Crime Branch after release from jail

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been summoned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning regarding two cases against them, a day after their release from Tihar Jail.

The Crime Branch issued notices to Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka after their release on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), asking them to appear for questioning at the Rajouri Garden office on Thursday noon (October 22, 2026). Mr. Shinde has also been summoned to join.

The investigation pertains to allegations of trespassing at Jantar Mantar after it was denotified as a protest site, obstructing police personnel on duty, and disobedience of a government order, among other charges.

Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka were detained on October 13 for climbing over the gates of the barricaded protest area. They were remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14, with their custody extended by two more days on October 19.

On Wednesday (October 21, 2026), Assistant Commissioner of Police Ritu Raj, presiding over the proceedings as a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), accepted their sureties and ordered their release. The order came despite the Delhi Police seeking a three-day extension of their judicial custody, citing law-and-order concerns.

The summons came a day after the Delhi Police transferred two cases against the CJP leaders to the Crime Branch, citing the sensitive nature of the cases and the need for an impartial investigation.

The FIRs were registered on October 13 at Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations after 14 CJP members allegedly entered the protest site through private premises and obstructed police personnel. The Connaught Place FIR was registered under Sections 223(a) (disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 332 (house-trespass to commit an offence) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The Parliament Street FIR invoked Sections 221 (voluntarily obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 132 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging official duties), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from discharging official duties) and 3(5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of their common intention) of the BNS.

While Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka were sent to judicial custody for allegedly violating a previously signed peace bond, Mr. Shinde was released after signing one.