Published Oct 13, 2026 | 10:45 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 13, 2026 | 10:45 AM
CJP's Ashutosh Ranka being detained by Delhi Police. (X)
Synopsis: Jantar Mantar, in central New Delhi, has long served as a prominent site for citizens, workers, farmers and social organisations to raise grievances and demand government action. Its proximity to Parliament and other government institutions made it a focal point for demonstrations against the Union government.
A day after Delhi police de-notified Jantar Mantar as the designated protest site, Cockroach Janta Party’s Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde reached the place on Tuesday, 13 October, to “reclaim” the site.
However, they were detained by the Delhi Police soon after.
While the CJP leaders claim they have entered the premises, the news agency PTI citing Delhi Police sources reported that they were detained by police while they were trying to reach Jantar Mantar.
Sharing on X, Saurav Das wrote: “JANTAR MANTAR HAS BEEN RECLAIMED! WE HAVE ENTERED JANTAR MANTAR AND NOW WE ARE BEING DETAINED! But this is a message to all of us young gen! We can do it! Gyanu, you’re done bro!”
JANTAR MANTAR HAS BEEN RECLAIMED!
WE HAVE ENTERED JANTAR MANTAR AND NOW WE ARE BEING DETAINED!
But this is a message to all of us young gen! We can do it! Gyanu, you’re done bro!
@Cockroachisback https://t.co/swDB6K8kW5
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) October 13, 2026
The CJP’s founder Abhijeet Dipke also wrote on X: “Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. You cannot denotify the resistance.”
Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police.
@AshutoshRanka, @SauravDassss, @AjinkyaCJP along with other team members have been detained.
You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi https://t.co/x7B40akCVO
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026
Also Read: Delhi Police de-notify Jantar Mantar as designated protest site, replace it with three new sites
Delhi Police has de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations, replacing it with three sites at Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi.
The decision, announced in Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026 dated 11 October, comes two days after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to reconsider Jantar Mantar as the designated protest venue and identify another location with facilities for peaceful demonstrators.
The standing order, issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to examine alternative venues for citizens to exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations. The three locations were designated on the basis of the committee’s recommendations.
The order said a revised standard operating procedure for organising protests at the three venues would be issued separately.
On 9 October, the Supreme Court said it was time to identify and designate another place with amenities for peaceful protesters. The direction followed Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta’s submission before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s Bench that the competent authority would consider designating a venue other than Jantar Mantar.
Jantar Mantar, in central New Delhi, has long served as a prominent site for citizens, workers, farmers and social organisations to raise grievances and demand government action. Its proximity to Parliament and other government institutions made it a focal point for demonstrations against the Union government.
The venue became a major symbol of the July protests, led chiefly by the CJP with support from Left organisations, demanding the removal of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The success of the campaign dealt a major blow to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government.
Since then, access to Jantar Mantar has become increasingly restricted. The venue was virtually cordoned off after protests began last week against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of the revision exercise.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
