Cockroach Janata Party Leaders Sent to Five Days in Tihar Jail After Jantar Mantar Protest

UPDATE - follow-up to Anti-CEC protest LIVE | CJP's Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka sent to 5 days judicial custody in trespassing case: Cockroach Janata Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to five days of judicial custody in Tihar Jail following an unauthorized entry at Jantar Mantar. A Special Executive Magistrate issued the remand on October 14, 2026, after police filed an FIR under charges of criminal trespass, breach of bond, and disobedience of orders. A third member, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on a personal bond. The arrests followed a police de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue on October 12, 2026, by Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.

Reactions

Leaders from various political parties condemned the police action. CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya called the detention a ridiculous punishment and blamed the government for fearing public protests. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is imposing an unofficial emergency. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated that the Congress respects the judiciary while affirming that public resistance will continue. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress party's mass mobilization efforts. CJP legal head Ratna Singh stated that lawyers had not received a copy of the FIR filed at the Connaught Place police station.

Protest Sites

Demonstrations in the capital have been shifted to three alternative venues, including Ramlila Ground, CBD Ground, and Burari Ground. However, officials stated that the 12-acre Ramlila Maidan, which holds up to 50,000 people, has no free booking dates for the next two and a half months. Only December 29, 30, and 31 remain open for booking. The daily booking rate is ₹50,000, along with a refundable ₹55,000 security deposit, bringing the initial outlay with taxes to ₹1.21 lakh for a single day.

Context

Jantar Mantar has historically served as New Delhi's most common and central venue for public demonstrations and protests. The recent police de-notification and subsequent relocation of protest venues to alternative grounds like Ramlila Maidan mark a major shift in how public assemblies are managed in the capital.