CJP leaders Saurav, Ashutosh skip Crime Branch summons over stir, seek more time

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will not appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday. They have told the agency they are unavailable and have asked for more time, police sources said. The Crime Branch is expected to issue fresh summons with a revised date and time.

The Crime Branch had asked the two to record their statements at its Rajouri Garden office at 12 noon. The summons relate to two cases linked to their protest at Jantar Mantar on October 13. Police sources said the probe has also summoned CJP member Ajinkya Shinde. The cases involve allegations of trespassing and disobeying orders issued by a public servant, among other charges. The development comes a day after Das and Ranka walked out of Tihar Jail. They had spent a week in judicial custody.

The Delhi Police have transferred both cases linked to the October 13 incident to the Crime Branch. One was registered at Connaught Place police station and the other at Parliament Street police station. According to the police, Das, Ranka and other CJP members tried to enter the Jantar Mantar area during a protest. The protest demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The group reportedly crossed barricades and entered the area through a private establishment. Police personnel then intervened.

The FIR at Connaught Place police station includes charges of disobeying an order promulgated by a public servant, house trespass and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR at Parliament Street police station concerns allegations of obstruction and assault on public servants. It also covers causing hurt to police personnel during the incident.