Delhi Police on Monday transferred the probe into the alleged trespass at Jantar Mantar involving Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, assigning the matter to its Inter State Cell, officials said.
Judicial custody, court proceedings
Das and Ranka were produced before a newly appointed Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at the Mandir Marg police station on Monday, where their judicial custody was extended for a further two days. Their lawyers said a fresh surety was rejected on account of a reported mismatch in documents, prompting the continuation of remand that traces back to orders issued on October 14.
The two leaders were earlier remanded by an SEM on October 14 over allegations that they had gained access to the Jantar Mantar area after it was denotified as a designated protest site and had violated bonds in which they undertook to maintain peace.
Background and police allegations
Delhi Police alleged the CJP leaders and other party members entered the denotified Jantar Mantar site on October 13 by passing through private premises. The force has said the group raised slogans targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and unfurled the national flag while on the site. Police contend the protesters obstructed personnel from discharging their duties.
Two FIRs were registered in relation to the protest, the first at Connaught Place police station and the second at Parliament Street police station. The complaints invoke provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to:
- disobedience of an order issued by a public servant;
- trespass;
- obstruction of public servants;
- assault and causing hurt;
- criminal conspiracy.
Following an initial detention on October 13, the police bound another associate, Ajinkya Shinde, to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months and released him on a personal bond with a surety of ₹5,000.
Probe transferred to Crime Branch
The transfer of the case to the Crime Branch — and specifically to the Inter State Cell — indicates the force intends to centralise investigative control for further evidence-gathering and coordination. Police sources indicated the move came shortly after the courtroom proceedings that extended the remand.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial detentions | October 13, 2026 |
| Judicial remand ordered | October 14, 2026 |
| Remand extended | October 19, 2026 — extended by two days |
| FIRs registered at | Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations |
| Assigned to | Crime Branch — Inter State Cell |
Officials said the case file will now be handled by Crime Branch officers who are expected to probe the route of entry into the denotified area, examine whether private premises were accessed without consent and determine the veracity of allegations of obstruction and assault against police personnel.
The SEM court that remanded the two leaders on October 14 had held they deliberately violated their undertakings to maintain peace, according to court records cited by police. On Monday, the SEM rejected fresh sureties submitted on behalf of the accused after noting discrepancies in the documents presented, defence lawyers said.
With the matter now in the Crime Branch, investigators will likely scrutinise mobile and video evidence, statements of on-site police personnel and surrounding property owners, and any material that could establish whether the protesters entered through private premises and whether that entry led to obstruction or violence as alleged.
As the probe advances under the Crime Branch, the charges framed under the BNS expose the accused to a range of criminal liabilities if proven in court. The judicial process will next consider the remand period and any additional investigative steps authorised by magistrates.
