Police summons over Jantar Mantar trespass: CJP leaders Saurav and Ashutosh seek time

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were summoned for questioning by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday, October 22, in connection with two cases registered over entry into the denotified protest site at Jantar Mantar. The notices were issued a day after the two leaders were released from Tihar Jail following an order by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court. 

However the CJP leaders have sought for more time and did not appear today.

They were asked to appear at the Rajouri Garden office of the Delhi Crime Branch at noon on Thursday. Another individual, identified as Shinde, was also summoned for questioning.

The cases concern allegations of trespassing at Jantar Mantar after it was denotified as a designated protest site, obstructing police personnel on duty and disobeying a government order. The Delhi Police transferred the two cases from the local police stations to the Crime Branch, citing the sensitive nature of the matter and the need for an impartial investigation.

The two leaders were released after SEM Ritu Raj accepted their personal and surety bonds and recorded their written undertakings to maintain peace and abide by the law. The SEM directed Das and Ranka to furnish personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, valid until the conclusion of the enquiry. They were also directed to appear on every hearing date and comply with the conditions stipulated in their bonds and undertakings.

In their written undertakings, the leaders promised not to breach the peace or disturb public tranquillity. They also undertook not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified in accordance with the law, and stated that any future protests would be held within the constitutional framework.

The release order came despite the Delhi Police seeking a further three-day extension of their judicial custody, citing concerns over a possible breach of peace and law and order. Police also reportedly referred to alleged differences between statements made by the leaders before the court and their subsequent remarks to the media.

Das and Ranka were detained on October 13 after allegedly climbing over the gates of the barricaded protest area at Jantar Mantar. They were remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14, with their custody extended by two additional days on October 19.

The FIRs were registered on October 13 at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations following allegations that 14 CJP members entered the protest site through private premises and obstructed police personnel.

The Connaught Place FIR invokes Sections 223(a), 332 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant, house-trespass to commit an offence and criminal conspiracy.

The Parliament Street FIR invokes Sections 221, 115(2), 132, 121(1) and 3(5) of the BNS. These provisions relate to obstruction of a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or use of criminal force against a public servant, causing hurt to deter a public servant from official duties, and acts committed by several persons in furtherance of a common intention.

The court has directed the investigating officer to submit a report verifying the sureties at the next hearing. The matter is listed for further proceedings on Friday, October 23, at 3 pm.

The cases stem from the October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar, following which the two CJP leaders were held in judicial custody for seven days before their release on Wednesday, October 21.