Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das appeared before the Special Executive Magistrate at Delhi’s Mandir Marg police station on Friday, October 23, in connection with two cases registered over alleged trespassing and obstructing public servants during the party’s October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar, police sources said.
The two leaders had sought additional time on Thursday to join the investigation, following which they appeared before the magistrate, a police source said. Asked by the media how the movement would continue if they were detained, Ranka said it would carry on regardless of whether its members were in jail or outside.
“The movement will continue. We are not leaders; we are custodians of this platform that the people of this country have given us, and we are just trying to do our best,” he said.
“We have learnt a lot about ourselves and how the regime operates. We will, of course, change and evolve as necessary,” Ranka added.
Speaking to the media, Das urged people to respect the proceedings before the executive court and cautioned against sharing information about the case.
“I would request everyone to respect the proceedings currently underway before the executive court… We have not been sharing any information with the media about these proceedings. Those leaking information should also respect the judicial process,” he said.
Das added that those involved should act responsibly, saying, “They should not take this lightly, as we too can take action if necessary.” On the movement’s future plans, Das said decisions would be taken collectively by those associated with it rather than by the CJP alone.
“Many people are associated with this movement, and everyone will discuss and decide on the next course of action. Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation is inevitable,” he said.
On Thursday, Ranka and Das, along with CJP member Ajinka Shinde, were summoned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch to its Rajouri Garden office for questioning. They are expected to receive fresh notices, sources said. The two leaders were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14 after being detained in connection with the CJP protest. Their custody was extended by two days on October 19 and ended on Wednesday, October 21.
They were released that day after furnishing written undertakings that they would not breach the peace. They also submitted personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, which will remain valid until the conclusion of the inquiry. As part of the undertakings, the two leaders also agreed not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified.
