Cockroach Janata Party Leaders Sent to Tihar Jail After Jantar Mantar Protest, Bail Plea Filed

A high-voltage political and administrative development has unfolded in the national capital as 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP) leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka find themselves behind bars in Tihar Jail. Following their recent arrest during a demonstration, authorities have placed them in separate high-security wards to maintain order. Sourav Das has been lodged in Jail Number 2, while Ashutosh Ranka has been kept in Jail Number 4 under a five-day judicial custody order.

Legal Battle and Bail Petitions in Patiala House Court

In response to the judicial remand, legal counsels for the CJP leaders have rushed to the Patiala House Court to file formal bail applications. According to the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court's directives, both leaders prima facie violated bonds of maintaining public peace and failed to comply with lawful police directions. The court noted that their actions posed an apprehension of breach of peace, necessitating judicial detention while investigations continue, especially as no local sureties were immediately available during the hearing.

Background of the Jantar Mantar Protest and Police Action

According to Delhi Police dossiers, 14 members of the party, including Das, Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde, attempted unauthorized access to Jantar Mantar on October 13 by bypassing private properties. Jantar Mantar has recently been denotified as a designated protest site. Police registered two separate FIRs under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) across Connaught Place and Sansad Marg police stations, citing obstruction of public servants and defying lawful orders. While Shinde was released on a surety bond, Das and Ranka were classified as repeat offenders and remanded to custody.