Delhi Police has transferred a second case against jailed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch, bringing two cases linked to the leaders under the specialised unit’s investigation, sources told PTI on Tuesday.
The development comes a day after another case involving the two leaders, concerning their alleged entry into the Jantar Mantar area, was transferred to the Crime Branch. The cases stem from a protest-related incident on October 13, when CJP members allegedly entered the area despite it having been denotified as a designated protest site.
Why Delhi Police Transferred the CJP Cases
According to Delhi Police, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members reached Jantar Mantar on October 13. They allegedly trespassed through private premises to enter the area.
Police personnel deployed at the location intervened and attempted to stop the group. All 14 members were detained, and two FIRs were registered in connection with the incident.
The latest transfer means both cases against Das and Ranka linked to the incident are now being investigated by the Crime Branch. The move comes as the two co-convenors remain in judicial custody over allegations related to the protest.
The police action followed the group’s attempt to unfurl the national flag at Jantar Mantar. The CJP members allegedly scaled a locked gate to enter the area despite having signed peace bonds on October 10.
They were also accused of crossing police barricades to reach the denotified protest venue. During the incident, Das and Ranka allegedly raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP Leaders Remain in Judicial Custody
On October 14, a Special Executive Magistrate sent Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody for allegedly breaching their peace bonds. Their custody was extended by two days on Monday, according to the report.
The peace bonds had reportedly been signed on October 10. Police allege that the leaders violated the conditions by participating in the attempted entry into Jantar Mantar.
The transfer of the cases to the Crime Branch marks a further development in the police investigation into the incident. The allegations against the CJP leaders remain allegations, and the investigation is ongoing.
Abhijeet Dipke Calls Das and Ranka Real Decision-Makers
The case transfers come amid renewed attention on the party’s leadership after CJP founder and convenor Abhijeet Dipke described Das and Ranka as the real decision-makers behind the movement.
In a 16-minute video message posted on X on Tuesday, Dipke said the two co-convenors had played a central role in taking the movement forward. He referred to them as his brothers and portrayed himself as someone who followed their instructions.
The emotional message was released on Dussehra, with Dipke also announcing that the party would not organise protests until Diwali. He urged CJP supporters, who refer to themselves as “cockroaches”, to take a break and spend time with their families.
Dipke’s remarks offered insight into the roles he attributed to Das and Ranka within the party and its protest activities.
CJP’s Previous Agitation and Political Context
The latest developments come against the backdrop of earlier CJP protests, including a July agitation that, according to the report, culminated in BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister.
With both cases now transferred to the Crime Branch, the investigation into the alleged trespass and the claimed violation of peace bonds continues. Das and Ranka remain in judicial custody as police pursue the cases linked to the Jantar Mantar incident.
