Cockroach Party leaders released on pledge not to protest at Jantar Mantar

Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, co-founders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), have been released after spending seven days in police custody upon giving an undertaking to the court that they will never hold protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar again. A Delhi magistrate court granted their release on Wednesday under these specific conditions.

The agitation began earlier this month when the party called for a mass demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. On October 10, police thwarted the rally by detaining party chief Abhijit Deep, Sourav, and Ashutosh from Delhi airport before they could reach the venue, releasing them the next day.

Despite initial detentions, Sourav and Ashutosh proceeded to Jantar Mantar on October 13, defying public prohibitions and hoisting their party flag at the site. Delhi police promptly arrested them and took them into remand, while subsequent solidarity demonstrations by other members were also shut down by law enforcement.

During court hearings, the bench questioned the leaders on why they deliberately breached security protocols at a restricted location and asked who would shoulder responsibility in case of untoward incidents. In response, both leaders formally pledged never to convene protests at the venue again, paving the way for their conditional release.