CJP leaders sent to judicial custody as protests expand against Jantar Mantar de-notification

UPDATE - follow-up to 'Anti-CEC protest LIVE | 'Not a single journalist said Modi is doing the right thing': Rahul Gandhi': Cockroach Janata Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody in Tihar Jail on Wednesday following their arrest in a Jantar Mantar trespassing case.

Arrests And Police Action

An FIR was registered against Das and Ranka for breach of bond, criminal trespass, and disobedience of orders after Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest site on Monday. Ajinkya Shinde was also placed under preventive arrest but released on a personal bond.

Political And Public Reactions

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated that the Congress respects the Supreme Court and judiciary while asserting that political resistance will continue. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the detentions and offered legal support through the DMK, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the arrests an attempt to silence the youth. Actor Prakash Raj and commentator Abhijeet Dipke also criticized the police action and the removal of protest access.

Upcoming Agitations

More than 100 youth, labour, and farmers' organisations announced plans to launch a nationwide agitation on October 23, 2026. The protest demands include the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision, the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and an audit of deleted voter names.

Context

This development follows ongoing public resistance against election commission policies and the restriction of traditional gathering spaces in the capital. Opposition parties and civil society groups continue to coordinate joint platforms to challenge administrative actions regarding voter list revisions and public demonstrations.