NEW DELHI — In a major legal crackdown on public order violations in the national capital, a Delhi Special Executive Magistrate Court on Wednesday ordered top leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) into five days of judicial custody after they scaled perimeters at Jantar Mantar to stage an unauthorized demonstration.
Key organizational leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to Tihar Jail as repeat offenders for breaching previously executed peace bonds and trespassing onto the de-notified site, while co-accused activist Ajinkya Shinde was released upon furnishing a personal bond.
Key Takeaways
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Five-Day Judicial Custody: A Special Executive Magistrate court at Mandir Marg remanded Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of judicial custody following their arrest for defying public order restrictions.
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Repeat Offenses and Bond Violations: Police officials cited previous preventive undertakings signed by the activists, noting that their breach of Jantar Mantar perimeters constituted a direct violation of one-year peace bonds.
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Partial Relief for Co-Accused: Party volunteer Ajinkya Shinde was bound down to maintain peace and released on executing a personal bond and surety of Rs 5,000.
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Protest Site Relocation Enforcement: The judicial order reinforces law enforcement’s strict implementation of recent directives revoking Jantar Mantar’s status as a protest hub and transferring all public gatherings to designated venues at Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi.
Strict Judicial Stance on Repeat Demonstrations
Delhi Police intercepted a group of 14 activists early Tuesday morning after they allegedly entered the restricted zone through adjacent private property, unfurling national flags and raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter roll revision controversies.
In its detailed submission, law enforcement argued that the activists actively encouraged similar unlawful acts across social media channels while obstructing police personnel executing official duties. Concurring with police concerns over potential repeated infractions, the magistrate court determined that preventive detention was necessary to maintain capital tranquility, rejecting immediate bail requests while defense counsel prepares higher court appeals.
