CJP leaders remanded for five days after Jantar Mantar incident

A Special Executive Magistrate on October 14 ordered Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka held in judicial custody for five days, two days after they were detained following an incident at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called for a flag march in the capital on October 16, as the custody order drew criticism from opposition figures and the party’s supporters. Delhi Police said CJP members entered Jantar Mantar without authorisation after it had been removed from the list of designated protest venues. Police alleged that members crossed barricades and obstructed officials, and said the leaders had encouraged others on social media to engage in similar activity. Those allegations have not been established as findings of guilt. The group’s October 13 demonstration included slogans directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom CJP members have called on to resign over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. The party said its members had gone to Jantar Mantar to reclaim it as a place to protest.