Jantar Mantar protest: CJP leaders Das, Ranka, Shinde seek more time from Delhi Police
Synopsis
Days after being released from Tihar Jail, CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde have deferred their appearance before the Delhi Police Crime Branch over the Jantar Mantar trespass case. The trio was originally detained for protesting against alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions and raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar — at a site no longer designated for demonstrations.
Key Takeaways
CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde sought more time to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch ; fresh summons will be issued.
The case relates to a 13 October 2026 incident in which the three, along with 11 others , entered Jantar Mantar — a de-notified protest site.
Das and Ranka spent a week in Tihar Jail before being released on 22 October 2026 on personal and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each .
Their release required written undertakings before SEM Ritu Raj , pledging not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until it is legally re-notified.
The protest was against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and included slogans against CEC Gyanesh Kumar .
Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde have sought additional time to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case. The three were originally summoned to the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at noon on Thursday, 23 October 2026, but requested a deferral. The police are now expected to issue fresh summons.
Background: Trespass at a De-notified Protest Site
The case stems from an incident on 13 October 2026, when Das, Ranka, and Shinde, along with 11 others, entered Jantar Mantar — a site that has been de-notified as the designated protesting area in the capital. All those present were detained by the Delhi Police. While Shinde was released on a bail bond shortly after, Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody for a week.
This week, the Delhi Police transferred the protest-related cases against the CJP leaders to its Crime Branch, signalling a higher level of scrutiny of the incident.
What the Protest Was About
The CJP members were demonstrating against what they described as alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. During the protest, they raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, adding a political dimension to the case.
Release of Das and Ranka
Das and Ranka were released on Wednesday, 22 October 2026, after submitting written undertakings before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM). In their undertakings, both activists assured they would maintain peace and refrain from calling for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is de-notified in accordance with the law.
SEM Ritu Raj directed their release after they furnished personal bonds and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each, valid until the conclusion of the inquiry. The SEM court observed that the measures required under Section 135(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent a breach of peace could be adequately secured through the bond and undertaking mechanism.
What Happens Next
With fresh summons to be issued, the Crime Branch questioning of all three leaders is now pending. The outcome of that questioning could determine whether formal charges are pressed or the inquiry is broadened. The case has drawn attention to the legal status of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue and the ongoing dispute over the SIR process for electoral rolls.
Point of View
Making it politically charged. The written undertakings extracted from Das and Ranka — effectively promising not to protest at a site whose legal status is itself contested — raise questions about the proportionality of the legal response. If Jantar Mantar's de-notification is disputed, using that de-notification as the basis for custodial detention and bond conditions invites scrutiny of whether procedural law is being stretched to manage dissent.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka arrested?
Das and Ranka were detained after trespassing into Jantar Mantar on 13 October 2026 along with Ajinkya Shinde and 11 others. Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated protest site, making their entry a trespass under law.
What is the Jantar Mantar protest case about?
The CJP activists were protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Their entry into the de-notified Jantar Mantar site led to their detention and subsequent judicial custody.
When were Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka released from Tihar Jail?
Das and Ranka were released on 22 October 2026 after spending a week in judicial custody. Their release followed submission of written undertakings and personal and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each before Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj.
Why have the three leaders been called before the Delhi Police Crime Branch?
Delhi Police transferred the protest cases against the CJP leaders to its Crime Branch this week, escalating the inquiry. All three were summoned on 23 October 2026 but sought additional time; fresh summons are now being prepared.
What conditions were imposed on Das and Ranka upon release?
Under orders from SEM Ritu Raj, both activists submitted written undertakings pledging to maintain peace and not call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is de-notified in accordance with law. They also furnished bonds under Section 135(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
