Delhi Police place Cockroach Janta Party leaders under preventive arrest

UPDATE - follow-up to Anti-CEC protest LIVE | CJP's legal head Ratna Singh alleges Delhi Police arrested Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde in Jantar Mantar case: Delhi Police have placed Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde under preventive arrest for entering the Jantar Mantar area without official permission.

Charges and Arrest

Officers registered an FIR at the Connaught Place police station against the members under provisions related to criminal trespass, bond violation, disobedience of orders, and obstruction of public duties. Lawyers representing the party stated they have not yet received a copy of the police FIR. CJP legal head Ratna Singh posted on X that the arrests took place at the Parliament Street Police Station.

Political Reactions and Ground Availability

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated that the Congress party respects the Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court, and the judicial system while maintaining that public and political resistance will carry on. In a related development, Ramlila Maidan, one of Delhi's newly designated protest venues, has no free dates left for the next two and a half months. Officials confirmed the 12-acre ground, which holds up to 50,000 people, is fully booked except for December 29, 30, and 31. Booking the space costs 50,000 rupees per day alongside a refundable security deposit of 55,000 rupees, bringing the initial daily outlay to 1.21 lakh rupees including taxes.

Context

Preventive detention is a legal step authorities take to stop individuals from committing an offense before it happens. Finding available large public venues for political demonstrations in New Delhi has become increasingly difficult due to strict booking rules and limited designated zones.