Delhi Police Place Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde Under Preventive Arrest

Delhi Police placed Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde under preventive arrest on the morning of October 14, 2026, after detaining them at Jantar Mantar on October 13, according to NDTV Profit .

The three were expected to appear before a Special Executive Magistrate on October 14. The reports available that morning did not confirm the outcome of the appearance or any subsequent release.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke backed his detained colleagues on October 13, alleging lawyers were denied access and questioning why unfurling the national flag was being treated as a violation. According to The New Indian Express , he said CJP would approach the courts and continue protesting nationwide if Jantar Mantar remained closed to demonstrations.

What Happened at Jantar Mantar

Das, Ranka and Shinde, along with 11 volunteers, were detained on the morning of October 13 after entering the barricaded protest venue, according to The Indian Express . Police alleged that they approached through a narrow lane behind the JD(U) office and climbed a locked gate. The group carried national flags and raised slogans.

Reports identified Jaffarpur Kalan police station as their initial detention location. CJP legal head Ratna Singh later said the police transferred the three leaders to Parliament Street police station at about 3 a.m. on October 14, according to NDTV. Moneycontrol reported that police released the other 11 volunteers.

Police registered an FIR over the entry. NDTV Profit reported allegations of unauthorized trespass, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstruction of a public servant’s duties. These are allegations, not findings of guilt.

The reported peace bond allegation concerns Das and Ranka. The available reporting does not establish that Shinde signed the earlier undertaking.

Earlier Detention and Protest Restrictions

The October 13 incident followed a separate police action on October 10, when police detained Dipke, Das and Ranka aboard their aircraft after they arrived in Delhi for the planned “Jantar Mantar 2.0” demonstration, according to ThePrint. Shinde was not identified among those detained on the flight.

The protest sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Police said they denied permission because the application was submitted late.

According to police quoted by The Times of India, Dipke, Das and Ranka were released on October 11 after furnishing ₹50,000 surety bonds each and undertaking to maintain peace and good behavior for one year.

NDTV reported that a police standing order dated October 11 designated Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as protest venues. CJP said it learned on October 12 that police no longer designated Jantar Mantar as a protest site.

Legal Access Remains Disputed

CJP’s lawyers and leaders have called the custody illegal. Lawyer Pushp Sharma told The Indian Express that on October 13, police described the group as detained, rather than arrested, and refused him a meeting on that basis.

The later police description was preventive arrest. Allegations that legal access was denied remain disputed, and the reviewed reports do not confirm a transfer to Tihar prison or a judicial ruling on the legality of the custody.