CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka appear before Delhi Police Crime Branch in Jantar Mantar case
Synopsis
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka finally appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on 5 November after skipping an earlier summons in October. The case, now handled by the Crime Branch, centres on their alleged trespass at Jantar Mantar during a protest against purported irregularities in electoral roll revision — a legally sensitive intersection of civil activism and electoral oversight.
Key Takeaways
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) appeared before Delhi Police Crime Branch in Rajouri Garden on 5 November 2026 .
The case relates to an alleged trespass at Jantar Mantar on 13 October , involving 14 individuals in total.
The protest was against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and targeted CEC Gyanesh Kumar .
Das and Ranka were held in judicial custody for a week before being released from Tihar Jail on 21 October on personal and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each .
The protest cases were transferred to the Crime Branch in October after the duo skipped an initial summons.
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden on Thursday, 5 November 2026, for questioning in connection with the Jantar Mantar protest case. The two activists had been summoned to present themselves at noon, marking their first compliance after skipping an earlier summons in October.
Background: The Jantar Mantar Trespass
The case stems from an incident on 13 October, when Das, Ranka, and fellow activist Ajinkya Shinde, along with 11 others, allegedly trespassed into Jantar Mantar — a site that has been de-notified as a designated protest venue. All those present were detained by the Delhi Police. While Shinde was released on a bail bond, Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody for a week.
The protest was held against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Demonstrators also raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Release from Tihar and Undertakings Given
Das and Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on 21 October after submitting written undertakings before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), assuring that they would maintain peace and refrain from calling for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is de-notified in accordance with law.
SEM Ritu Raj ordered the release after the two furnished personal bonds and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each, valid until the conclusion of the inquiry. In their written undertakings, both activists pledged not to commit any breach of peace and expressed full faith in the judiciary, including the SEM court.
Legal Provisions Invoked
The SEM court noted that the immediate measures required under Section 135(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent a breach of peace or disturbance of public tranquillity could be adequately secured through the execution of bonds, backed by the written undertakings submitted by the activists.
Earlier Non-Compliance and Transfer to Crime Branch
Das and Ranka had been summoned by the Delhi Police earlier in October as well. They skipped those summons and subsequently requested additional time before appearing for questioning. The protest cases against the CJP leaders were transferred to the Crime Branch in October, escalating the nature of the investigation.
The appearance of the two activists on Thursday represents a significant procedural step, with the Crime Branch likely to record their statements as the investigation continues.
Point of View
Following an initial no-show, adds a layer of legal brinkmanship. More broadly, the case sits at a contentious intersection: citizens contesting electoral processes through street action, and the state responding with instruments that carry significant personal cost — a week in Tihar and ₹50,000 bonds are not trivial consequences for civil society actors.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka summoned by Delhi Police?
Das and Ranka were summoned in connection with an alleged trespass at Jantar Mantar on 13 October, when they and 11 others entered the site, which has been de-notified as a designated protest venue. The cases were subsequently transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for investigation.
What was the Jantar Mantar protest about?
The protest was held against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Demonstrators also raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the demonstration.
How long were Das and Ranka in custody?
Both activists remained in judicial custody for approximately one week, before being released from Tihar Jail on 21 October after furnishing personal and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each and submitting written undertakings to maintain peace.
What conditions were placed on Das and Ranka upon release?
They were required to submit written undertakings before a Special Executive Magistrate, pledging not to breach the peace and to refrain from calling for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is de-notified in accordance with law. Their release was granted under Section 135(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Why is the case now with the Crime Branch?
The Delhi Police transferred the protest cases against the CJP leaders to the Crime Branch in October, an escalation that typically signals a more intensive investigation. The move came after Das and Ranka initially skipped their summons and sought additional time to appear.
