CJP Leaders Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Appear Before Delhi Crime Branch; Ranka Confident Of Fair Probe

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das appeared before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday (November 5) for questioning in connection with the October 13 protest at Jantar Mantar. Following the questioning, Ranka described the proceedings as a routine investigation and expressed confidence that the authorities would conduct a fair probe. He also reiterated that the party would extend full cooperation to the investigating agency.

Speaking to news agency ANI after his appearance, Ranka maintained that the CJP had nothing to hide and would cooperate with any agency investigating the October 13 incident. He also defended the party’s decision to unfurl the national flag at Jantar Mantar, arguing that displaying the Tricolour at a public location, including on a public road, should not be treated as a criminal offence.

The questioning comes amid an ongoing investigation into the CJP’s protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Ranka and Das had previously been arrested after CJP members entered Jantar Mantar despite police barricades and security restrictions. The protest took place a day after Delhi Police denotified the location as an authorised demonstration site and designated three alternative venues for public protests.

The CJP leaders, however, opposed the decision and described their entry into the premises as an attempt to reclaim the historic protest site. During the demonstration, party members unfurled the national flag and raised slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.

The two leaders were subsequently arrested on allegations of trespassing and violating a peace bond they had signed on October 11. They were sent to judicial custody for seven days before being released from Tihar Jail on October 21 after furnishing personal and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each. The cases were later transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which summoned them for questioning.

Ranka Challenges Foreign Funding Allegations

Separately, Ranka strongly criticised Union Minister Jitendra Singh over allegations that the CJP was receiving financial support from foreign sources. Singh had accused CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke of receiving funds from US-based donors and alleged that Ranka was receiving financial assistance from Pakistani politicians and other handlers.

The minister had also raised concerns about foreign-funded NGOs, alleged deep-state operatives and organisations purportedly working against India’s interests by coordinating campaigns to influence public discourse and target the government.

Responding to the accusations, Ranka questioned the government’s earlier engagement with CJP representatives, pointing to meetings and discussions involving senior BJP leaders and Union ministers.

He asked why government representatives, including Jitendra Singh, had previously interacted with the organisation if it was suspected of receiving foreign funding.

Ranka specifically referred to a meeting held in July between CJP representatives and senior BJP leaders, including Union ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda. The meeting had focused on the party’s protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations surrounding NEET examination paper leaks and student suicides.

CJP Accuses Government Of Diverting Attention From Public Issues

Ranka also accused the government of repeatedly invoking foreign funding allegations to divert public attention from issues such as unemployment, examination paper leaks and alleged manipulation of electoral rolls.

He questioned the government’s position on the allegations of voter irregularities and demanded an explanation over its support for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The CJP co-convener further alleged that the government had failed to adequately address concerns surrounding examination paper leaks and the country’s unemployment situation.

The confrontation comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the CJP and authorities over the SIR exercise, electoral transparency and restrictions on public demonstrations in the national capital.

The Crime Branch questioning marks another development in the investigation into the October 13 Jantar Mantar protest, with Ranka maintaining that the party will cooperate with the authorities while continuing to challenge the allegations levelled against it.