CJP Leaders Remanded to Five Days’ Judicial Custody

A Special Executive Magistrate on October 14 remanded Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody after their detention following a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. CJP member Ajinkya Shinde was released after furnishing a personal bond, according to police accounts. The three were among 14 CJP members detained on October 13. Delhi Police said the group entered Jantar Mantar, which had been removed from the list of designated protest venues, and alleged that members obstructed officers performing their duties. Police also alleged that the leaders had encouraged others through social media to engage in similar activity. These are allegations and have not been established as findings of guilt. Police said Shinde was released after providing a Rs 5,000 personal bond and undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months. Das and Ranka had previously given undertakings to maintain peace, according to reports. The magistrate ordered the two into judicial custody, while Shinde was allowed to leave subject to the bond conditions.