Politics
Two CJP leaders jailed after entering denotified Jantar Mantar
Delhi’s protest rules now turn venue access into a custody issue.
Delhi’s protest rules now turn venue access into a custody issue.
A protest site in central Delhi is at the center of a broader fight over dissent. Delhi Police removed ’s approval for demonstrations and directed protesters to , Burari Ground or CBD Ground. Congress Jana Parishad leaders rejected the change and tried to enter . Police detained 14 people. Police say they crossed a locked barrier and broke public-order rules. The party says it was peacefully opposing an unfair restriction.
A sent Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days in . The magistrate cited alleged trespass, breach of a and obstruction. Ajinkya Shinde was released on a ₹5,000 . Rahul Gandhi condemned the action and said peaceful protest should not become a crime. The dispute now centers on whether the venue change can make entry a criminal case, and whether the other sites truly protect the right to protest.
Rahul Gandhi criticized the detention and custody of the , arguing that peaceful protest at should not be treated as a crime. Opposition figures framed the arrests as an excessive restriction on dissent, while police defended enforcement of the venue change and public-order rules. The dispute remains focused on whether regulating an approved protest location can turn an attempted demonstration into a trespass and peace-bond case.
Ajinkya Shinde was released on a of ₹5,000, while Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody. The different outcomes reflected the executive-magistrate proceedings and the authorities’ stated assessment of whether continued detention was needed to prevent another . The case therefore moved beyond brief into a custody dispute over protest-related conduct.
A Special Executive Magistrate ordered Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to five days of in under . The allegations included , violation of a , and obstruction of public officials. Authorities cited concerns that the two could repeat the alleged breach or encourage further violations.
Delhi Police detained CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde, along with other party volunteers. Police treated entry into the now-unauthorized protest area as a public-order and access violation, while the CJP described the action as suppression of peaceful resistance. Reports said the detainees were taken to .
CJP leaders and volunteers went to Jantar Mantar despite the venue’s and heavy police restrictions. Police alleged that a group of about 14 people used a lane near the JD(U) office and climbed over a locked gate or barricade to enter the site. The party said the detention followed its attempt to hold a protest against Gyanesh Kumar.
Officials designated , , and in east Delhi as alternative locations for demonstrations. The administrative position was that protest rights remained available, but organizers had to use approved sites and follow . The rejected the substitution and continued to insist on protesting at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police Jantar Mantar as a for protests, following recommendations linked to Supreme Court directions. The change meant demonstrations could no longer be held there as an approved activity without separate authorization. Authorities said the decision was intended to regulate protests while preserving access to alternative sites.