India news: 'Cockroach' leaders sent to judicial custody amid protest crackdown

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• 'Cockroach' party leaders sent to five days in judicial custody
• Boat capsizes in state of Bihar killing at least 13, mostly children
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to visit India next week

Here are the top headlines from India on Wednesday, October 14: 

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Skip next section Student organization demands 'immediate release' of Cockroach leaders

October 14, 2026

Student organization demands 'immediate release' of Cockroach leaders

Left-wing All India Students' Association (AISA) on Wednesday demanded the "immediate release" of Cockroach movement conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after the duo were sent to judicial custody over trespassing amid protests. 

"Tihar Jail for raising the Tricolor at Jantar Mantar?" the organization questioned in a post on X, adding that they stood in solidarity with the political pressure Group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). 

AISA is one among several groups and opposition parties protesting in India's national capital against India's election chief Gyanesh Kumar.

AISA's National President Neha Bora has been at the forefront of the recent protests which saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling government deploy thousands of police and rapid action forces to detain protesters. 

Indian authorities crack down on 'Cockroach' protest

https://p.dw.com/p/5OEJZ

Skip next section Cockroach party conveners Ranka, Das sent to 5 days in judicial custody

October 14, 2026

Cockroach party conveners Ranka, Das sent to 5 days in judicial custody

Three leaders of India's Cockroach movement — Co-Conveners Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and organizer Ajinkya Shinde — have been formally charged with multiple violations by authorities in India's national capital.

It all comes amid their protest against India's election chief over mass deletion of voter names from electoral rolls. 

Indian authorities crack down on 'Cockroach' protest

The trio was detained early Tuesday after they allegedly "sneaked" past police barricades to enter the grounds of Jantar Mantar in central Delhi, which until recently was a designated protest site. 

News agency PTI, citing sources, reported that police have now formally charged them with trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from discharging officials duties. 

Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party's Founder Abhijeet Dipke said Das and Ranka had been "sent to five days judicial custody." 

"Their fault? Unfurling tricolor at Jantar Mantar," Dipke wrote on X on Wednesday morning, referring to the national flag. 

"Show some guts, Narendra Modi. If you're so determined to crush dissent, have the courage to officially declare an Emergency instead of hiding behind these cowardly tactics," he said.

Dipke's post suggests the trio have already been produced in front of a magistrate. Under Indian law, a person arrested by police has to appear in court within 24 hours of the arrest. One can only be sent to judicial remand by a judge. 

Defending advocate accuses police of making false claims in court

Advocate Abhisht Hela, who is representing Das and Ranka, questioned the grounds for sending the two into judicial remand and accused the police of making false claims in court, Times of India reported. 

"They have been sent to five-day judicial custody because of the presumption of the police that they can commit a crime. Police lied in court that they had given a call urging people to come there," Hela said, adding that no such call was made.

Meanwhile, Shinde, who seems to have been released, told reporters that the government was misusing its powers to curtail people's rights. "If the government thinks that sending our two leaders, Ashutosh and Saurav, to jail for five days will frighten them, it is absolutely mistaken," Shinde said, as per PTI.

He further called on "everyone" to "come together to bring an end to this dictatorial government." 

https://p.dw.com/p/5OEGT

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage!

October 14, 2026

Welcome to our coverage!

Good morning and welcome to DW's India blog. 

This is Mahima Kapoor from Studio Delhi, ready to bring you the latest updates from India. The country has seen massive protests over reports of misconduct and pro-government bias by India's election chief. Mass detentions have followed in response to the demonstrations.

Leaders of India's Cockroach movement are facing formal charges after they "sneaked" into the Jantar Mantar grounds in central Delhi, which until recently was a designated protest site. Two of the Cockroach Janta Party conveners have been sent to five days in jail over charges of trespassing and obstructing official duties.

In other news, a boat on river Ganges capsized in India's eastern state of Bihar, killing at least 13 people. Most of the dead were children. Rescue operations are reportedly still ongoing. 

On the international front, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit India next week to strengthen "strategic partnership" and discuss "enhanced energy cooperation." This will be Rubio's second official visit to India this year.