CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde Detained at Jantar Mantar
The detentions came a day after Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from its list of designated protest sites, prompting the party to challenge the decision.
New Delhi: Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde, along with other party volunteers, on Tuesday morning after they entered Jantar Mantar, which was recently removed from the list of designated protest venues.
According to reports, the party members entered the site carrying the national flag and climbed over barricades to reach the protest area. Police took them into custody shortly afterwards.
The action followed a 24 hour ultimatum issued by CJP on Monday, October 12, demanding that police allot a date for a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke confirmed that several party members had been detained. Reacting to the police action, he wrote on social media, “You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi.”
Delhi Police had announced on Monday that Jantar Mantar would no longer be a designated venue for protests. The order, issued by Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in Shahdara as alternative locations for demonstrations.
The decision came amid protests by CJP, opposition parties and student organisations over the functioning of the Election Commission and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
CJP and other opposition groups have demanded action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The Election Commission has maintained that the electoral roll revision process is intended to improve the accuracy of voter lists.