Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das and national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police.
News agency ANI reported their detention, citing Delhi Police. The two leaders, along with CJP’s Ajinkya Shinde and other party members, were detained by Delhi Police on October 13 after reportedly jumping over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site a day earlier. The group entered the premises carrying the Indian national flag, with CJP leaders asserting that the site had been “reclaimed”. Delhi Police had removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites on October 12 and identified three alternative venues for demonstrations: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
Detentions Before Protest
The detention of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka along withh other CJP leaders took place amid heightened security in Delhi following the authorities’ decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had planned a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party raised concerns about the potential exclusion of eligible voters and called for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The Election Commission’s electoral roll revision exercise has drawn criticism from opposition parties and activists, who have raised concerns about its implementation and possible implications for voters. However, allegations of deliberate wrongdoing remain contested. On October 13, Das and Ranka, along with CJP’s Ajinkya Shinde and other party members, were reportedly detained by Delhi Police after jumping over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site. The group reportedly entered the premises carrying the Indian national flag.
The development followed the denial of permission for the party’s planned demonstration and the subsequent removal of Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites on October 12. Authorities had identified alternative locations for public demonstrations, citing security and public order considerations. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers authorities to issue orders to prevent potential disturbances, was also in force in parts of the capital as security measures were tightened.
Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. @AshutoshRanka, @SauravDassss, @AjinkyaCJP along with other team members have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi https://t.co/x7B40akCVO
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026
Political Tensions Rise
The detentions came amid days of tension between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Delhi Police over the party’s planned protest. CJP had maintained that Jantar Mantar was an established venue for public demonstrations and sought to hold a gathering demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. However, Delhi Police denied permission for the October 10 demonstration, citing security and public order concerns.
The proposed protest was accompanied by heightened security arrangements across the capital, including restrictions on movement and reports of preventive detentions. Several protesters and political figures were reportedly detained as authorities sought to prevent unauthorised gatherings. The CJP’s campaign focused on concerns about the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its potential impact on eligible voters. The party called for greater transparency and accountability, while allegations of deliberate wrongdoing in the revision exercise remained contested.
The developments continued after the October 10 protest. On October 11, CJP leaders who had been detained earlier were released by an executive magistrate, reportedly subject to conditions requiring them to maintain peace for one year. Das and Ranka subsequently raised concerns about their mobile phones allegedly remaining in police custody for around 24 hours and expressed apprehension that the devices might have been tampered with. These claims have not been independently established.
On October 12, Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites and identified alternative venues for demonstrations. The decision drew criticism from CJP representatives. On October 13, Das, Ranka and CJP’s Ajinkya Shinde were reportedly detained after jumping over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site. The incident renewed questions about access to public spaces for peaceful demonstrations and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens’ right to express dissent.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to peaceful protest is an important part of a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to question institutions, raise concerns and seek accountability. At the same time, authorities have a responsibility to protect public safety and ensure that demonstrations do not lead to violence or endanger others. These responsibilities should be balanced through transparent rules, proportionate security measures and meaningful communication between organisers and the administration.
JANTAR MANTAR HAS BEEN RECLAIMED! WE HAVE ENTERED JANTAR MANTAR AND NOW WE ARE BEING DETAINED! But this is a message to all of us young gen! We can do it! Gyanu, you’re done bro! @Cockroachisback https://t.co/swDB6K8kW5
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) October 13, 2026
