CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Detained By Delhi Police At Jantar Mantar Amid Electoral Roll Protest
Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar amid protests over electoral roll revisions.
Cockroach Janta Party Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde Detained by Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar During Protest Over Electoral Roll Revision
Political tensions in New Delhi escalated on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Jantar Mantar. Party member Ajinkya Shinde and other volunteers were also reportedly taken into custody after attempting to enter the protest site, which authorities had recently removed from the list of designated venues for demonstrations.
The incident comes amid ongoing protests by the party over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions and its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The detention has brought renewed attention to restrictions on public demonstrations in the national capital and the political debate surrounding voter registration. <escape>[1]</escape>
Why Were CJP Leaders Detained by Delhi Police?
According to reports published on October 13, members of the Cockroach Janta Party entered the Jantar Mantar premises despite the recent change in its status as an authorised protest venue. Videos shared by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reportedly showed party members crossing a gate and raising slogans while carrying the Indian national flag.
Delhi Police detained the participants after they entered the site. The action followed the authorities’ announcement that Jantar Mantar would no longer be designated for protests and demonstrations.
The party had previously demanded that police provide a date and time for its proposed agitation at the location. CJP maintained that it wanted to continue its protest against the alleged problems associated with electoral roll revisions.
The detention of senior representatives has intensified the dispute between the political group and the authorities over access to public spaces for demonstrations. <escape>[2]</escape>
Who Are Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde?
Saurav Das serves as the chief spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party, while Ashutosh Ranka is its national spokesperson. Both have been associated with the party’s public statements and protests over electoral and governance-related issues.
Ajinkya Shinde, another CJP member, was also among those detained during the latest incident. The party’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, confirmed the detention of the three members and other volunteers through a social media post.
The detentions are particularly significant because the party has continued to organise demonstrations despite restrictions and previous police action against its members. The latest confrontation illustrates the challenges facing the organisation as it seeks to maintain pressure on authorities over its demands.
Further official details about the subsequent legal proceedings, if any, were not immediately available in the reports reviewed.
Jantar Mantar No Longer a Designated Protest Site
Jantar Mantar has historically been one of India’s most recognisable locations for public demonstrations, political campaigns and sit-ins. Its central location in New Delhi has made it an important gathering point for citizens, activists and political organisations seeking to draw attention to public issues.
However, Delhi Police announced on October 12 that Jantar Mantar would no longer be a designated venue for protests. Authorities identified alternative locations, including Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi, for demonstrations and sit-ins.
The decision has become a central point of contention for CJP. The party argued that removing the site from the list of authorised protest venues would not stop its campaign.
The latest detention occurred against this background, with CJP members attempting to enter the premises shortly after the change was announced. The episode has renewed discussion about how public order requirements should be balanced with the right to peaceful assembly. <escape>[3]</escape>
CJP’s Protest Against Electoral Roll Revisions
The Cockroach Janta Party has been demanding action over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The exercise has generated political debate, with opposition groups questioning the impact of voter-list changes and the procedures used to verify voter details.
CJP and other critics have called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, alleging that the electoral roll revision process raises serious concerns about voter inclusion and fairness.
The Election Commission has denied allegations of political bias. Authorities have maintained that voters whose names were removed can seek re-enrolment through the prescribed procedures. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has also rejected accusations that the revisions were intended to benefit it politically. <escape>[1]</escape>
These competing positions have made electoral roll revisions a prominent subject of political debate. While critics are demanding greater accountability and transparency, the Election Commission’s position remains that the process does not amount to deliberate discrimination.
Abhijeet Dipke Reacts to the Detention
Following the incident, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues. In a post on social media, he said that the party’s leaders and volunteers had entered the site before being detained.
Dipke also directed his criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing that changing the location’s official status would not eliminate public resistance.
The party’s response signals that it intends to continue raising its concerns over electoral roll revisions. However, its next steps and the possibility of further demonstrations at alternative venues remain unclear.
What Happens Next?
The detention of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and other CJP members adds another development to the ongoing dispute over electoral roll revisions and protest restrictions in Delhi.
The immediate questions concern the status of the detained members, any further police action and whether the party will organise its next demonstration at one of the alternative venues identified by authorities.
The controversy also highlights the broader debate over electoral accountability, voter-list accuracy and the regulation of public protests. As political groups continue to demand answers about the revision process, the response from the Election Commission, Delhi Police and the government will remain under scrutiny.
Read more: IMD Issues Red Alert For Delhi As Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Lash Capital
Conclusion
The detention of Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Jantar Mantar, along with Ajinkya Shinde and other volunteers, has intensified tensions surrounding protest restrictions in New Delhi. The action followed the removal of Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites and came amid CJP’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.
While the party continues to demand accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner, the Election Commission has rejected claims of political bias. Further developments will determine how the protest unfolds and whether the dispute leads to additional political or legal action.
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