‘We Will Evolve in Necessary Ways’: CJP’s Ashutosh Ranka Says Protest Against CEC Will Continue

Ranka, CJP co-convenor Saurav Das and National Organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde visited Delhi’s Mandir Marg Police Station on Friday, a day after seeking additional time to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning. They were accompanied by the party’s head of legal affairs, Ratna Singh.

The three leaders had been directed to appear before the Crime Branch at its Rajouri Garden office at noon on Thursday but requested more time from the police.

Speaking to reporters after leaving the police station, Ranka said the leaders were awaiting confirmation of their next appearance date.

“We haven't received the next date yet. On the first date given to us, we could not go, so we informed them. They said they will confirm the timings, so we are waiting for the Crime Branch to get back to us,” he said.

Ranka also said the verification of their sureties following their release from judicial custody had been completed.

“Today, there was the verification process for our sureties. It all went well. And we have been given the next date, which is in the third week of November,” he added.

CJP says movement will continue

Reiterating the party’s position on the SIR issue, Ranka said the protest would continue regardless of whether its members were in or out of jail.

“We are not leaders; we are custodians of this platform, which has been given to us by the people of this country. We are just trying to do our best,” he said.

He added that the experience had prompted the group to reflect on its approach and its understanding of how the government operates.

“The movement continues even when we are in jail or outside jail. Obviously, there are a lot of things that we have learned about ourselves and the way the regime is working, and we will, of course, change and evolve in necessary ways,” Ranka said.

Leaders released after a week in judicial custody

Das and Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after spending a week in judicial custody. Earlier in the week, Delhi Police transferred the cases involving the CJP leaders’ protest to the Crime Branch.

The cases relate to an incident on October 13, when Das, Ranka and Shinde, along with 11 others, allegedly trespassed into Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site.

Delhi Police detained all those involved. Shinde was released on a bail bond, while Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody for a week before their release.

The police investigation and questioning of the CJP leaders are continuing, while the party has reiterated that it intends to sustain its campaign against the SIR and its demand for the CEC’s resignation.