New Delhi, October 13, 2026: Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde, along with several volunteers, after they reportedly entered the Jantar Mantar area despite restrictions on demonstrations. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the ongoing controversy surrounding electoral-roll revisions.
CJP Leaders Detained at Jantar Mantar
The latest detentions took place after CJP members reached the Jantar Mantar area and attempted to stage a demonstration. Police intervened and took several party leaders and volunteers into custody.
The incident comes amid continuing tensions over restrictions on demonstrations at the site and the party’s demand for permission to hold a peaceful protest.
Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde Among Those Held
CJP co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were among the prominent leaders detained during the police action. Ajinkya Shinde was also taken into custody, along with several volunteers.
The detentions have added to tensions between the organisation and the authorities as the party continues its campaign over electoral accountability.
Protesters Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
The CJP has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Critics have raised concerns about large-scale voter deletions and their potential impact on eligible voters. The Election Commission, however, has rejected allegations of political bias and maintained that the revision exercise is intended to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Restrictions at Jantar Mantar Add to Tensions
The latest confrontation follows a reported decision by authorities to withdraw Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site and suggest alternative locations for demonstrations.
The change has become a point of contention for the CJP and other protest groups seeking to hold demonstrations at the established venue. The dispute over access to the site has added another dimension to the ongoing agitation.
CJP Says Protest Will Continue
The party has indicated that its demonstrations will continue until its demands are addressed.
Ashutosh Ranka had earlier warned that the organisation would issue another protest call if police did not provide a date within 24 hours for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
The party’s next steps will depend on its engagement with authorities and the response to its demand for permission to protest.
Leaders Were Detained Earlier This Month
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were previously detained alongside CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on October 10 after arriving in Delhi for an earlier protest. They were released the following day after furnishing surety bonds, according to media reports.
The latest detentions indicate that tensions surrounding the organisation’s protest campaign remain unresolved.
Electoral-Roll Revision Remains at the Centre of the Agitation
The wider controversy centres on the reported removal of more than 130 million names from voter rolls during the revision process.
The Election Commission has said that deletions include entries relating to deceased, relocated and untraceable individuals. It has also maintained that eligible voters can seek re-enrolment through the prescribed procedures.
Critics have questioned the scale and impact of the deletions, making transparency, verification and safeguards for eligible voters central issues in the dispute.
Election Commission Rejects Allegations of Political Bias
The Election Commission has maintained that the revision exercise is intended to ensure electoral rolls remain accurate and up to date. It has rejected allegations that the process is designed to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or disadvantage opposition-supporting voters.
The competing claims have kept the revision process under public and political scrutiny, with protesters seeking greater accountability from the electoral authorities.
Youth-Led Movement Draws Wider Attention
The CJP initially gained attention through youth-oriented and examination-related issues before expanding its campaign to include electoral accountability and institutional transparency.
Its protests over the electoral-roll revision have brought the organisation into a wider debate about democratic participation, voter registration and the right to peaceful assembly.
Fresh Detentions Keep Political Pressure High
The October 13 detentions underscore the continuing standoff between the CJP and the authorities over protest restrictions and the demand for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
As the electoral-roll controversy continues, the dispute is likely to remain a subject of political debate. Further developments will depend on the police investigation and detention procedures, the authorities’ position on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, and any response from the Election Commission.
Sources – Reuters, The Indian Express, India Today
Supreme News Network
