NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has summoned Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka for questioning in connection with two cases registered over a protest at Jantar Mantar. CJP member Ajinkya Shinde has also been summoned, police sources said.
Das and Ranka have been asked to appear at the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at noon on Thursday to record their statements. The summons came a day after the two leaders were released from Tihar Jail, where they had spent a week in judicial custody.
The cases relate to a protest held on October 13, during which CJP members allegedly attempted to enter the Jantar Mantar area and hoist the national flag. The demonstration was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Delhi Police transferred both cases to the Crime Branch for further investigation. One FIR was registered at Connaught Place police station and the other at Parliament Street police station.
According to police, the protesters allegedly crossed barricades and entered the area through private premises, prompting police intervention. The authorities have maintained that the site was no longer designated for protests.
The FIR registered at Connaught Place police station includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, criminal trespass and criminal conspiracy.
The second FIR, registered at Parliament Street police station, concerns allegations of obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties, assault and causing injuries to police personnel during the incident.
The transfer of the cases to the Crime Branch marks a fresh stage in the investigation. The police are seeking statements from the summoned CJP members as part of the ongoing probe into the protest and the alleged violations.
