Jagan Mohan Reddy Questions Arrests of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka

YSRCP head YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has questioned the arrests of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, claiming that their confinement will not address election system concerns.

In a post on X, Reddy voiced support for the two activists. He advocated for steps to repair the system and restore public trust in the voting process.

His remarks came after a Special Executive Magistrate’s Court in Delhi ordered Das and Ranka to be held in judicial custody for five days. The order came after their detention by Delhi Police on October 13 for an incident involving CJP members at Jantar Mantar.

Jagan Mohan Reddy Calls for Electoral System Reform

In his piece, Reddy suggested that addressing problems before they escalate would be more beneficial than reacting after an incident occurs. He stated that the electoral system required reform and that public trust in the process must be restored.

Reddy further stated that the arrests of Das and Ranka would not settle the underlying concerns and could exacerbate the situation. He expressed sympathy for both campaigners after their incarceration.

His remarks emphasised the importance of addressing systemic challenges rather than relying just on arrests. The message did not go into greater depth about the precise improvements he wants to see implemented.

Meanwhile, legal processes against the two CJP leaders have progressed in Delhi. On Wednesday, they appeared before Special Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena at Mandir Marg Police Station.

After hearing the comments and reviewing the materials given, the magistrate ordered their judicial custody for five days, until October 19. The order said that they had not supplied the necessary trustworthy assurance for release.

The court also decided that both respondents receive a notice under Section 130 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The case has been scheduled for further investigation on October 19.

Jagan Mohan Reddy Reacts to Jantar Mantar Incident

According to a Delhi Police statement, the arrests were made in response to an incident on October 13 morning. Police claimed that three activists and 11 other CJP members entered Jantar Mantar’s denotified demonstration venue using private property.

Personnel stationed at the location interfered and sought to disperse the group. Police claimed that the demonstrators blocked cops performing their official responsibilities.

All 14 people were detained by Delhi Police, and two first information reports (FIRs) were filed in response to the event.

Sections 223(a), 332, and 61(2) were used to lodge FIR No. 289/26 at the Connaught Place police station. FIR No. 128/26 was registered at Parliament Street police station under Sections 221, 115(2), 132, 121(1), and 3(5).

The police claims underpin the reported action against the group. The current information does not provide any additional information on the investigation or the status of the other detained members’ cases.

Das and Ranka are currently in judicial custody until October 19, and the next scheduled hearing will allow for more investigation into their cases. Meanwhile, Reddy has said that restoring trust in the voting process necessitates resolving the system’s flaws rather than relying just on arrests.