CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka appear before Delhi Police in Jantar Mantar trespassing cases

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das talk to the media while leaving the Crime Branch office after being summoned by the agency to join the probe in New Delhi on Thursday. | Photo credit: ANI

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka appeared before the Delhi Crime Branch at Rajouri Garden on Thursday (November 5, 2026) after being summoned for questioning in connection with cases related to trespassing at the designated Jantar Mantar protest site in October.

After appearing before investigators, Mr Ranka said the two leaders would cooperate with the probe. “Today’s questioning was part of a routine investigation into the events of October 13. We will fully cooperate with any investigation conducted by any agency. Hoisting the national flag at Jantar Mantar or on any public road should not be considered a criminal offence. We are confident that the investigation will be conducted in good faith,” he told the media.

Unsubstantiated claims

Reacting to allegations of foreign funding against the CJP, Mr. Das dismissed them as baseless and accused right wing-linked groups of waging a campaign to discredit the movement.

“The allegation is baseless. We asked about the basis of these allegations even before our first protest on June 6. Our first press conference was held on June 3 and since then we have repeatedly asked the authorities to provide evidence to support their claims. Four or five months have passed but no evidence has been provided,” he said.

He also criticized the repetition of allegations by a senior Union minister and termed it shameful that what he described as propaganda was being given further credence by government officials.

The two leaders were earlier arrested and sent to judicial custody after they entered the designated Jantar Mantar protest site on October 13 and waved the national flag along with 12 others. Police also said their actions violated the peace bond they signed on October 11.

Two FIRs were registered at Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations on October 13.

The cases were subsequently handed over to the crime branch, which summoned the two leaders for questioning on 22 October. They asked for more time before appearing on Thursday.

The two leaders were released from Tihar jail on 21 October after furnishing personal bonds and sureties of ₹50,000 each. Special Executive Judge Ritu Raj ordered their release on the condition that the bonds remain valid till the investigation in the Jantar Mantar case is concluded.

Published – 05 Nov 2026 22:51 IST