Three leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were questioned for about four hours by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday in connection with two FIRs linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar on 13 October. Police sources said Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde were asked around 70 questions during the investigation.
The three leaders reached the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden at about 11am, according to information reported by Live Hindustan – NCR. Their questioning ended at around 3pm. Police sources said the interrogation was conducted by officers of inspector rank and that the leaders did not answer some of the questions put to them.
The case relates to a protest held at Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s designated demonstration area. According to the police account cited in the report, the CJP leaders allegedly entered the Jantar Mantar premises forcibly on 13 October even though permission for a protest had not been granted. The allegations include illegally entering the site through private property and violating restrictions applicable to the area.
The FIRs were initially registered at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations. They were later transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation. Police said the cases also concern the leaders’ protest at the site and the hoisting of the national flag during the demonstration.
After the questioning, Ranka told reporters outside the Crime Branch office that it was a routine investigation related to the 13 October incident. He said the leaders would cooperate with the inquiry and maintained that hoisting the national flag anywhere should not be treated as a crime. He also expressed confidence that the investigation would be conducted properly.
The questioning followed earlier summons issued to the three leaders to join the investigation. According to the report, they had sought additional time and did not appear on the earlier occasion. Their appearance marks the latest step in a case involving the regulation of protests at one of Delhi’s principal public demonstration sites.
Jantar Mantar operates under restrictions governing when and how public demonstrations can be held. The case therefore involves not only the conduct alleged by the police but also the enforcement of access and protest rules at a high-profile civic space. The police investigation is continuing, and the authorities have not indicated what further action will follow the questioning.
