Jantar Mantar Breach: CJP Members Sent to Five-Day Judicial Custody
NEW DELHI: A tense standoff at the historic Jantar Mantar has resulted in legal repercussions for several members of the CJP (CJP), with authorities clamping down on those accused of unauthorized entry and obstruction of police duty. Two key representatives, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have been remanded to five days of judicial custody, while their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, has been bound down under strict legal conditions.
The confrontation unfolded when a group of 14 party members allegedly bypassed security barricades to enter Jantar Mantar, a site that is no longer permitted for public protests. According to police reports, the group not only trespassed into the restricted area but also engaged in a direct confrontation with law enforcement officers tasked with maintaining order.
Preventive Action and Legal Charges
DCP (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma stated that the police were compelled to act due to a pattern of recurring law violations. Authorities expressed deep concerns that the accused individuals posed a significant threat to public peace and were actively using social media platforms to incite others to engage in similar unlawful acts.
Following the incident, two separate FIRs were lodged at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations. The charges are severe, ranging from disobedience to public servant orders and criminal trespassing to criminal conspiracy and obstructing public officials in the discharge of their duties. Furthermore, allegations of assault and the use of criminal force to deter police personnel from performing their functions have been included in the case files.
Judicial Scrutiny and ‘Peace’ Bonds
The detained members were produced before Special Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena. The court proceedings focused on the accused’s history of non-compliance. Magistrate Meena noted that the individuals had previously been released after furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, with explicit instructions to maintain peace and good behavior for a period of one year.
Their subsequent decision to breach the Jantar Mantar perimeter—documented by footage of members climbing gates and hoisting flags—demonstrated a clear disregard for prior court orders, according to the magistrate. Consequently, the court found that there was a high likelihood of the accused continuing to disturb public tranquility if released immediately, leading to the five-day judicial custody order for Das and Ranka.
While Ajinkya Shinde was granted release on a personal bond of Rs 5,000, he has been “bound down,” meaning he is legally required to appear before an Investigating Officer whenever summoned and must obtain permission before leaving the city. He is further mandated to maintain peace and good conduct for the next six months.
Defense Strategy
The legal team representing the CJP members has vehemently contested the order. Advocate Abhisht Hela argued that the executive magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to impose judicial custody. The defense team has indicated that they intend to challenge the order before the Delhi High Court, seeking immediate relief for the detained activists.
As the matter remains under active investigation, the court has scheduled the next inquiry for October 19. For now, the administration has signaled a zero-tolerance approach toward unauthorized protests at non-designated sites, emphasizing that the sanctity of law and order must be preserved.
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