Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das after they allegedly entered Jantar Mantar, according to the campaign’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke. The incident took place after the prominent protest site was removed from Delhi’s list of designated protest locations. Dipke also claimed that several other members of the political campaign were detained following the incident. The incident occurred after Delhi removed Jantar Mantar from its list of designated protest sites.
On Tuesday, Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde after they allegedly entered the area without permission. The party’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, shared details of the incident, stating that the leaders had “sneaked into” Jantar Mantar. The detention came amid restrictions on protests at the location, which has long served as a prominent venue for demonstrations in the national capital. The incident raised questions about access to designated protest spaces in Delhi.
CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka were detained by the Delhi Police after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar through its locked gates, amid restrictions on protests at the venue.
Jantar Mantar Removed From Protest Sites List, Police Detain Campaign Members
Dipke mentioned that several other members of the political campaign were also detained by the Delhi Police following the incident, though he did not provide further details about them. “You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi,” Dipke shared the statement on social media a day after reports emerged that Jantar Mantar had been removed from Delhi’s list of designated protest sites. Ashutosh Ranka, Das, Shinde and others were taken to Jaffarpur Kalan police station in south-west Delhi, a Cockroach Janta Party volunteer told Scroll. On Sunday, Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest sites in the national capital.
Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. @AshutoshRanka, @SauravDassss, @AjinkyaCJP along with other team members have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi https://t.co/x7B40akCVO — Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026
The decision followed recommendations from a committee formed by the Union home ministry. The police order announcing the change was reported on Monday, raising concerns about the future of protests and demonstrations at the prominent protest site in Delhi. Police identified three alternative protest venues: Ramlila Ground in central Delhi, Burari Ground in northern Delhi, and CBD Ground in Shahdara, eastern Delhi, for holding demonstrations.
Protests Over Election Transparency and Exam Irregularities
The order came amid protests in the national capital by the Cockroach Janta Party, Opposition parties and student groups, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters raised concerns over the Election Commission’s functioning and its handling of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, questioning the transparency and fairness of the electoral process in the country.
Protests were also held at Jantar Mantar in June and July over alleged examination irregularities. The Cockroach Janta Party began a sit-in demonstration at the protest site on June 20, which continued until July 28. The protest drew attention to concerns about examination-related issues and eventually led to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dharmendra Pradhan resigning from his position as Union education minister, according to reports.