A Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two days, until October 21, 2026, in proceedings concerning alleged violations of peace bonds and protests at Jantar Mantar. The leaders have challenged the custody-extension order before the Delhi High Court and sought an urgent hearing.
Background
The proceedings arose from protests linked to the CJP’s demands concerning alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
According to media reports, Das and Ranka were detained after allegedly entering the barricaded Jantar Mantar site on October 13. They were placed in judicial custody for five days on October 14 by Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena.
The proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deal with preventive action to maintain peace and related enforcement measures. The police alleged that the leaders had breached earlier peace bonds by mobilising people for protests at locations that were no longer designated protest sites.
On October 19, Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj considered the police request for further custody. The police argued that the material on record raised concerns about possible disturbances to public order and referred to alleged repeated calls for demonstrations at restricted locations.
The Magistrate observed that the material presented by the investigating officer raised serious concerns about the possibility of a breach of peace.
“The application filed by IO [Investigating Officer] is supported by substantial material on record, raising serious concerns regarding the likelihood of breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, which cannot be brushed aside without proper consideration,” the order stated.
The Magistrate also questioned whether the leaders’ assurances that they would not repeat the alleged conduct could be relied upon in view of the material placed before the authority.
The order further recorded that their conduct appeared to show a lack of respect for the law and a pattern of calling protests at de-notified areas. These were observations made in the preventive proceedings, rather than findings following a criminal trial.
The Magistrate also declined to accept the sureties produced on behalf of Das and Ranka. According to the reports, discrepancies between a surety’s photograph on the bond documents and the Aadhaar card, along with unsatisfactory responses during verification, contributed to the decision.
The order stated that the sureties had not demonstrated an adequate ability to ensure the respondents’ appearance before the authority. The leaders were consequently directed to furnish fresh sureties.
Their counsel had opposed further custody and sought their release, assuring the authority that the alleged conduct would not be repeated.
Following the extension, Das and Ranka approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the October 19 order and seeking an urgent hearing. The reports available as of October 20 confirm the filing of the challenge but do not establish a final decision by the High Court on the petition.
Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj extended Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka’s judicial custody by two days, until October 21, 2026, rejected the sureties submitted on their behalf, and directed them to furnish fresh sureties.
