Delhi Police arrest CJP activists for trespassing at Jantar Mantar
CJP activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde were detained at Jantar Mantar following its de-notification as a protest site.
In a high-voltage standoff at the heart of the national capital, the Delhi Police have detained several activists from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar. The arrests come on the heels of authorities de-notifying the iconic site as a designated location for public protests.
Among those taken into custody are Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde. According to police sources, the activists were placed under preventive arrest while attempting to enter the premises. A formal case has been registered against them involving charges of trespassing, violation of bonds, and obstruction of public officials performing their duties.
Allegations of Arbitrary Detentions and Legal Violations
Ratna Singh, a representative of the CJP, has launched a scathing attack on the law enforcement agency, alleging that the arrests are illegal and part of a larger crackdown on peaceful demonstrations. Singh claimed that the activists were subjected to harsh treatment and denied their fundamental right to legal counsel.
In a series of updates shared on social media, Singh detailed a harrowing night for the detainees:
- Late-Night Transfers: The activists were reportedly transported to the Parliament Street Police Station in a private van at approximately 3 AM.
- Denial of Legal Access: Singh alleged that the detainees were prevented from meeting their lawyers for nearly 24 hours.
- Lack of Information: It was claimed that the activists were not initially informed of the specific grounds for their detention or arrest.
- Potential Judicial Custody: There are concerns that the activists may be produced before the SCM Court and subsequently sent to Tihar Jail under judicial custody.
"A Puppet of Higher Authorities"
The CJP has accused the Delhi Police of operating under a specific "rulebook" dictated by superiors rather than following the established law. Singh suggested that the police are being used to suppress dissent by de-notifying protest sites and detaining citizens who visit public spaces.
"We see criminals roaming freely, wandering the city, assaulting people, yet peaceful protesters are being stopped. The Delhi Police is being used as a puppet, and they are dealing very harshly with peaceful protesters, which is not right," said Ratna Singh.
Singh further questioned the motives behind the crackdown, suggesting that the charges are a mere tactic to intimidate the public and discourage future protests. She noted that even those who visited Jantar Mantar simply to hoist the national flag were met with detention.
The activists are expected to be produced before the court following the expiration of the 24-hour mandatory timeline. As the situation develops, the tension between the right to protest and the enforcement of new site regulations remains at a boiling point in Delhi.