CJP Leaders Detained at Jantar Mantar Amid Protests

In a recent incident in New Delhi, leaders from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were detained by police at Jantar Mantar after entering the site, which has been denotified as a protest venue. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reported that several members, including Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, were taken into custody while protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The detentions occurred amidst heightened security in the city, following calls for protests over alleged electoral irregularities. The CJP criticized the government's decision to remove Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, asserting that the people's right to protest should not be undermined. This incident raises questions about the government's approach to public dissent.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 13, 2026, 11:32 IST

CJP Leaders Face Detention

CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka and other workers wave the national flag at Jantar Mantar before being detained by police. (Photo:PTI)

New Delhi, Oct 13: On Tuesday, Delhi Police apprehended leaders from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, after they entered Jantar Mantar, which had recently been removed as an official protest site.

According to a post on social media by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, several other members, such as Ajinkya Shinde, were also taken into custody.

Dipke remarked, “Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police.” He specifically mentioned Ranka, Das, and Shinde among those detained, asserting, “You cannot denotify the resistance,” while tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his post.

A video shared by Dipke shows CJP protesters, including Ranka and Das, climbing over a locked gate to access the Jantar Mantar area.

Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. @AshutoshRanka, @SauravDassss, @AjinkyaCJP along with other team members have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi https://t.co/x7B40akCVO
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026

The demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Gyanesh Kumar isteefa do” (Gyanesh Kumar, resign) and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” while displaying the national flag.

Law enforcement quickly arrived and detained the protesters.

This incident occurred amidst increased security measures in New Delhi, following calls from various groups for protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

To ensure public safety, Delhi Police has deployed a significant number of officers throughout the city.

On the previous day, Das had condemned the government's choice to denotify Jantar Mantar as a protest venue, labeling it “unacceptable” and asserting that the party would not recognize what they termed an arbitrary decision.

“Unacceptable. Why is Narendra Modi scared of Jantar Mantar?” Das questioned in a social media update.

“The Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. Did the Ministry of Home Affairs consult with the people of India? Were any stakeholders consulted? Were any organisations consulted?” he further added.

These comments followed the announcement by Delhi Police that Jantar Mantar would no longer serve as an official location for protests and demonstrations.

An official directive identified Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative venues for such gatherings.