Delhi Police transfer CJP leaders’ case to Crime Branch; custody extended

New Delhi: The continued detention of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das has triggered criticism from opposition leaders, with questions raised over the authority under which they were sent to jail. The Delhi Police have meanwhile transferred the case against them to the Crime Branch's Inter-State Cell.

The duo were arrested last week over alleged trespassing near Jantar Mantar, a day after the location was removed from the list of designated protest venues. Police accused the protesters of raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, displaying the national flag and obstructing officials.

A Special Executive Magistrate extended their custody by two days after their sureties were rejected. Their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on a personal bond of Rs 5,000 and a surety, subject to six months of good-behaviour conditions.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and the party's legal head, Ratna Singh, condemned the detention, alleging that the proceedings were intended to silence dissent. The party said it would challenge the custody order before a higher forum.

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale also questioned the arrangement, arguing that a police officer acting as Special Executive Magistrate had ordered the detention. He further claimed that no FIR had been registered against the two leaders and no judicial order authorised their continued custody.