CJP leaders to seek protest date at Jantar Mantar after 24‑hour detention

What Happened

CJP leaders will go to Parliamentary Street Police Station on Monday at 10 AM to ask for a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. The trio – Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Abhijeet Dipke – were detained from the aircraft they landed on Saturday, held for 24 hours and released on Sunday with a one‑year peace‑behaviour bond.

Reaction

During detention police seized their phones; Ranka and Das warned the devices might be cloned or tampered with. Ranka posted on X that the police have 24 hours to give a protest date or the CJP will call the protest themselves. Over 100 people were also detained on Sunday, and more than 7,000 protesters were held at various locations as police blocked access to Jantar Mantar. AISA leader Neha Bora and CPI(M) leader John Brittas were among those released after the Supreme Court’s special sitting, which ordered that unarmed peaceful protesters cannot be detained except under the law. The Court also directed the Centre to restore free movement, assembly and metro‑rail services.

What's Next

Opposition figures Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge plan a march to the Supreme Court on Monday and sought a meeting with CJI Surya Kant to raise alleged vote‑rigging, but the CJI rejected the request. The CJP has warned it will announce a protest if the police do not set a date within the stipulated time.

Context

The protest demand follows an Indian Express expose that called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll. The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, putting pressure on Delhi police to comply.