File photo: Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has transferred a second FIR registered against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, which will now investigate both cases linked to the activists' alleged entry into Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, sources said on Wednesday.Two cases were registered on October 13 following protests by CJP members at the two locations without approval, according to news agency ANI.The case related to Connaught Place was transferred to the Crime Branch on Tuesday, while the second case, concerning Jantar Mantar, has also now been handed over to the unit, sources said.According to news agency PTI, the police alleged that Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members entered the Jantar Mantar area on October 13 by trespassing through private premises.
Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a designated protest site.Police personnel deployed at the spot intervened, and all 14 people were detained. Two FIRs were subsequently registered.
CJP leaders move Delhi High Court against custody extension
Meanwhile, Das and Ranka have approached the Delhi High Court challenging an order extending their judicial custody, arguing that their continued detention despite furnishing sureties violates their fundamental right to personal liberty.
Their legal team has challenged the October 19 order passed by a Special Executive Magistrate in New Delhi district under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).According to their lawyers, the magistrate rejected fresh sureties submitted by the two leaders on October 19 and directed them to explain why there should not be an apprehension of a breach of peace.The legal team contends that the continued detention is arbitrary and contrary to established legal principles.
The leaders have sought the setting aside of the order, arguing that their detention infringes their constitutional right to personal liberty under Article 21.The matter is scheduled to be taken up by the High Court on Wednesday.The leaders sought an urgent hearing on Tuesday, including a night hearing, as the High Court remains closed for the Dussehra vacation.CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh said in a post on X, "We have moved the Delhi high court and requested an urgent night hearing.
Saurav and Ashutosh should not spend a single minute behind bars. Their liberty must not be curtailed because of political games. Justice must not wait."The party has alleged that bail proceedings have been deliberately delayed to prevent the release of its two co-convenors, the newspaper reported.
Detentions began on October 10
According to their legal team, Das and Ranka were first detained on October 10 after arriving at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Preventive proceedings were initiated against them the following day, after which they were released on executing bonds of Rs 50,000 each.They were detained again on October 13 after going to Jantar Mantar carrying the national flag. They were subsequently shown as arrested under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS on October 14.A Special Executive Magistrate sent the two leaders to five-day judicial custody on October 14 for allegedly breaching peace bonds. Their custody was extended by two days on Monday after police sought further detention, citing apprehensions of a breach of peace.