CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka summoned by Delhi Police a day after release from Tihar Jail

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been summoned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch to appear at its Rajouri Garden office at noon on Thursday, a day after they were released from Tihar Jail following more than a week in custody over protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The summons came hours after the two leaders reiterated their demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, signalling that their release had not brought an end to their campaign against the electoral roll revision exercise.

CJP leaders renew demand for CEC's resignation

Late on Wednesday, Das and Ranka appeared in a video holding the Indian national flag and raising the slogan “Gyanu must go”, renewing the party's demand for Kumar's resignation. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke shared the video on Wednesday after the two walked out of jail.

The leaders' renewed appeal came amid heightened restrictions on protests against the contentious overhaul of electoral rolls. Their release followed more than a week in custody in connection with demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

Why Das and Ranka were in jail

Das and Ranka had been lodged in Tihar Jail over allegations of violating peace bonds and trespassing at Jantar Mantar. The site, previously designated for protests, has recently lost that status amid changes to the arrangements governing demonstrations in the national capital.

A Special Executive Magistrate ordered their release after accepting sureties on their behalf. As part of the release conditions, the two leaders also undertook not to organise further demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

However, their release did not signal a retreat from the party's campaign. The video shared by Dipke underscored CJP's continued demand for Kumar's resignation over its objections to the electoral roll revision exercise.

The Crime Branch's summons requires Das and Ranka to appear at its Rajouri Garden office at 12 pm on Thursday, October 22. The latest development comes as the party continues to challenge the restrictions surrounding protests against the SIR and press for accountability over the voter-roll overhaul.