CJP leaders seek extension to appear before Crime Branch in protest case

New Delhi: Three Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) members, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, have requested additional time to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch in connection with cases linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar.

The trio had been summoned to the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at noon on Thursday. Police are expected to issue fresh notices after their request for an extension.

The development comes a day after Das and Ranka walked out of Tihar Jail following a week in judicial custody. Shinde had earlier secured release on a bail bond.

The cases stem from an October 13 demonstration in which the three activists and 11 others allegedly entered Jantar Mantar, a site that has been de-notified as an authorised protest venue. The group was protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raised slogans targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Police subsequently transferred the cases to the Crime Branch for investigation.

Das and Ranka were released on Wednesday after submitting written undertakings before Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj, pledging to maintain peace and refrain from calling for protests at Jantar Mantar until its status is lawfully changed. Each furnished personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000.

The magistrate held that the undertakings and bonds were sufficient to address concerns over a possible breach of peace while the inquiry continued.

With IANS inputs