Delhi Protest: Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Visit Police Station to Seek New Date for Demonstration

CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Seek Fresh Date for Jantar Mantar Demonstration

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das reached the Parliament Street police station on Monday to request a fresh date for their proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The move comes after the party reiterated its determination to continue the agitation, a day after police detained thousands of people across Delhi while preventing demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10.

On Sunday, Ranka announced on X that CJP leaders would approach the police to seek permission for a peaceful demonstration. He said the delegation would include Saurav Das, Ratna Singh and other party members.

“Tomorrow at 10AM, me, Saurav Das, Ratna Singh and other CJP leaders will go to Parliamentary Street Police Station to get a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police can give us a date for Jantar Mantar in 24 hours, or we will give another protest call ourselves,” he wrote.

Six Metro Stations Restrict Entry and Exit

Ahead of the Congress-led Opposition protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, entry and exit gates at six Delhi Metro stations—Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk—were scheduled to remain closed until 4 pm on Monday.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said interchange facilities would continue to be available at all six stations. Security agencies were monitoring the situation, with further updates expected depending on developments.

The restrictions came amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital as the Congress prepared to lead an Opposition march towards the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Directs Authorities to Ensure Normal Services

On Sunday, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure normal Delhi Metro services and uninterrupted internet access amid the protests. It also observed that restrictions must comply with the constitutional provisions governing public order under Article 19(2).

The developments followed the CJI Surya Kant’s decision to decline a meeting with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. The Chief Justice cited the fact that the issues they wished to raise were already pending before the court and that such grievances could not be addressed through its administrative role.

The Congress subsequently announced plans for a march to the Supreme Court, scheduled to begin at 1.30 pm from Connaught Place. The proposed demonstration is expected to involve INDIA bloc leaders and civil society groups.

The Opposition intends to submit a memorandum demanding a halt to the SIR exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

CJP Leaders Criticise Centre Over Police Action

CJP leaders intensified their criticism of the Centre during a press conference on Sunday, following their release from preventive detention by Delhi Police.

Questioning the security arrangements in the capital, the leaders said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “should be ashamed” of allowing the situation to escalate into what they described as a “war-like” scenario.

Among those detained by Delhi Police on Sunday were CPI(M) MP John Brittas and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora.

Abhijeet Dipke Challenges Police to Release Detention Video

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday challenged Delhi Police to release the complete video of his detention, alleging that officers had denied him access to his phone, cousin and lawyer.

Speaking in Maharashtra’s Hingoli, Dipke accused the police of failing to inform his family or legal representatives about his whereabouts. He also alleged that officers caused his family further distress by asking him to call his parents at 3.30 am following his grandmother’s death on Saturday, when he was still in detention.

Delhi Police released a video claiming that assistance had been offered to enable Dipke to attend his grandmother’s last rites. Dipke disputed the police account.

He had left Delhi on Sunday, saying he was returning home following his grandmother’s death. The remaining CJP leadership was expected to announce its next course of action.

CJP Leaders Released After Preventive Arrest

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, was released on Sunday after being produced before an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantonment Police Station following their preventive arrest.

According to the party’s head of legal affairs, Ratna Singh, the magistrate released the three leaders on the condition that they would not “breach peace” for one year.

The CJP has maintained that it intends to continue its campaign against the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities. The party’s latest move to seek a fresh protest date comes amid continuing political tensions and heightened security measures in Delhi.