Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 21: The Delhi Police on Tuesday transferred a second case registered against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch for further investigation, according to sources.
The move comes a day after another case involving the two leaders, related to their alleged entry into the Jantar Mantar area, was transferred to the Crime Branch.
According to the Delhi Police, on October 13, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members allegedly entered Jantar Mantar, which is no longer a designated protest site, by trespassing through private premises. Police personnel deployed at the location intervened and attempted to stop them. All 14 individuals were detained, and two FIRs were registered in connection with the incident.
Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14 by a Special Executive Magistrate in proceedings related to alleged breaches of peace bonds. Their custody was extended by two days on Monday.
Meanwhile, Das and Ranka have approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Special Executive Magistrate's October 19 order extending their judicial custody. They have argued that their continued detention, despite furnishing sureties, violates their fundamental right to liberty.
The challenge concerns proceedings initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to their legal team, the leaders have repeatedly furnished sureties but remain in custody. Their lawyers have described the extension of detention as arbitrary and contrary to established legal principles.
The legal team further claimed that the magistrate rejected fresh sureties submitted on October 19 and directed the leaders to explain why there should not be an apprehension of a breach of peace. The matter was scheduled to be taken up by the High Court on Wednesday.
Their lawyers also stated that Das and Ranka were detained on October 10 after arriving at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Preventive proceedings were initiated against them the following day, after which they were released upon executing bonds of Rs 50,000 each.