Brief
Amnesty calls for release of CJP leaders jailed after Jantar Mantar protest
Amnesty International India says the arrests violate the right to peaceful assembly.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Amnesty International India has demanded the immediate release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were remanded to five days of judicial custody after attempting a peaceful protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, the organisation said in a statement on 14 October.
According to a post on X by CJP’s legal head Ratna Singh, the two leaders were taken into custody on Wednesday following the removal of Jantar Mantar’s designation as an authorized protest venue on 12 October. Party member Ajinkya Shinde, also detained during the same operation, was released on a personal bond of INR 5,000 (about USD 55). A First Information Report was filed against Das and Ranka on charges that include breach of bond, criminal trespass and disobedience of orders. Shinde faced a preventive arrest before his release.
Amnesty’s Chair of Board, Aakar Patel, criticised the authorities, stating, “The authorities cannot claim to protect the right to protest while denotifying established protest sites and arresting people who attempt to use them. Peaceful assemblies should not be limited to a few designated sites. Rather, public spaces must remain available for people to peacefully assemble, challenge those in power, demand accountability, and make their grievances heard.” The statement was published on Amnesty’s website and attributed to Patel.
The organisation highlighted that Jantar Mantar has historically served as a venue for diverse groups to voice grievances, noting its proximity to the Parliament house as a factor that amplifies the impact of demonstrations. It also referenced a Supreme Court direction that prompted Delhi police to identify alternative venues such as Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground, but argued that these locations do not guarantee the same visibility or accessibility.
Amnesty cited the UN Human Rights Committee’s position that peaceful assemblies may be conducted in any public space and invoked Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and the right to assemble peacefully without arms, while allowing reasonable restrictions for public order.
Key facts
- CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody after a protest at Jantar Mantar. (amnesty.org)
- Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond of INR 5,000. (amnesty.org)
- Amnesty International India called for their immediate release, citing violations of the right to peaceful assembly. (amnesty.org)
Sources
- [1] amnesty.org — originally reported as “India: Release CJP leaders arrested after attempting peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar”
