CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Approach Delhi Police to Reschedule Protest

CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Meet Police to Secure Fresh Date for Jantar Mantar Stir

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das reached Delhi’s Parliament Street police station on Monday to seek a new date for their proposed demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The move follows the party’s announcement that it would continue its agitation, despite a major police crackdown on protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10. Thousands of people were reportedly detained across the national capital as security personnel prevented demonstrators from gathering at the protest site.

On Sunday, Ranka said on X that CJP leaders would approach the police to obtain permission for a peaceful demonstration. He named Saurav Das, Ratna Singh and other party members as part of the delegation.

“Tomorrow at 10AM, me, Saurav Das, Ratna Singh and other CJP leaders will go to Parliamentary Street Police Station to get a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police can give us a date for Jantar Mantar in 24 hours, or we will give another protest call ourselves,” Ranka wrote.

Delhi Metro Restrictions Ahead of Congress Protest

Security arrangements were tightened in Delhi ahead of the Congress-led Opposition march to the Supreme Court on Monday. Entry and exit gates at six metro stations—Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk—were scheduled to remain closed until 4 pm.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said interchange facilities would remain operational at all six stations. Security agencies were monitoring the situation and were expected to issue further updates as required.

Supreme Court Calls for Normal Metro Services, Internet Access

On Sunday, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure normal Delhi Metro operations and uninterrupted internet access amid the protests. The court also observed that restrictions must comply with the constitutional framework governing public order under Article 19(2).

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were denied a meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after requesting an appointment to submit a memorandum on alleged electoral irregularities.

The CJI cited the pendency of related matters before the Supreme Court and explained that such concerns could not be addressed through the court’s administrative functions.

The Congress subsequently announced a march towards the Supreme Court, scheduled to begin at 1.30 pm from Connaught Place. INDIA bloc leaders and civil society groups were expected to participate. The memorandum is set to demand a halt to the SIR exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

CJP Leaders Question Police Action

Following their release from preventive detention on Sunday, CJP leaders criticised the Centre over the security arrangements and police action during the protests.

At a press conference, they said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “should be ashamed” of allowing the situation to escalate into what they described as a “war-like” scenario.

CPI(M) MP John Brittas and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora were among those detained by Delhi Police on Sunday.

Abhijeet Dipke Demands Release of Full Detention Video

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday challenged Delhi Police to release the complete video of his detention, alleging that officers denied him access to his phone, cousin and lawyer.

Speaking in Maharashtra’s Hingoli, Dipke further alleged that police did not inform his family or lawyers about his whereabouts. He also questioned the circumstances surrounding a request for him to call his parents at 3.30 am following his grandmother’s death on Saturday, while he was in detention.

Delhi Police released a video claiming that officers had offered assistance to help Dipke attend his grandmother’s last rites. Dipke disputed the police version of events.

He left Delhi on Sunday, saying he was returning home after his grandmother’s death. The remaining CJP leadership was expected to decide on the next phase of the agitation.

CJP Leaders Released After Preventive Detention

Dipke, Ranka and Saurav Das were released on Sunday after being produced before an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantonment Police Station following their preventive arrest.

Ratna Singh, the party’s head of legal affairs, said the magistrate released the three leaders on the condition that they would not “breach peace” for one year.

The CJP continues to oppose the SIR exercise and has demanded an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in voter-list revisions. Its latest move to seek a fresh protest date comes amid heightened security and an intensifying political dispute over the electoral roll revision process.