The judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das has been extended by two days, according to reports published on Monday. The two leaders were detained following a protest-related incident at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which had recently been denotified as a designated protest site. Their continued detention has triggered criticism from the party, which alleges that delays in the proceedings and the rejection of surety documents have prevented their release.
The leaders were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg police station for proceedings concerning their custody. Their lawyers reportedly submitted fresh surety documents, but the release process remained unresolved. The matter is expected to come up again on Wednesday, according to the reports. The case has attracted attention amid wider protests by the CJP and other groups against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Why Were Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das Detained?
Ranka and Das were detained on October 13 after they allegedly entered the Jantar Mantar premises by scaling locked gates. The site had recently lost its status as a designated protest venue. Reports said the two leaders and other party members were accused of entering the premises without authorisation and obstructing police personnel on duty. The CJP, however, maintained that its members had gone there to unfurl the national flag and raise slogans as part of their protest.
The incident took place against the background of the party’s campaign against the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. The CJP has argued that the electoral-roll revision process could threaten voters’ rights. It has also opposed the decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, maintaining that the change should not prevent its members from expressing their views. These claims represent the party’s position; the allegations relating to the entry into the premises remain matters to be dealt with through the relevant proceedings.
Fresh Sureties Submitted, but Release Remains Unresolved
According to reporting by The Times of India, the leaders’ lawyer said that fresh surety documents were submitted after earlier sureties had not been accepted. The lawyer stated that a new application seeking a further period of custody was presented during the proceedings. The state reportedly cited concerns about public order and public tranquillity in seeking the extension. The defence challenged the grounds for continued custody and argued that the circumstances did not justify keeping the two leaders detained.
The defence also questioned the rejection of the sureties, with the lawyer citing a reported mismatch in the documents. The CJP’s legal representatives have alleged that the release proceedings have been repeatedly delayed. The party says that the handling of the matter has caused uncertainty for the detained leaders and their families. These statements are allegations made by the defence and should be distinguished from the decisions and findings of the authorities handling the case.
CJP Accuses Authorities of Delaying the Proceedings
The CJP has accused authorities of deliberately prolonging the detention of Ranka and Das. Party representatives have said that repeated delays and the rejection of surety documents have prevented the leaders from securing release. The party has also indicated that it intends to pursue legal remedies over what it describes as unjustified detention. The authorities’ position, as reported in the media, includes concerns about public order and the circumstances surrounding the alleged entry into Jantar Mantar.
Ratna Singh, the party’s legal head, criticised the handling of the proceedings and questioned the reasons given for extending custody. She argued that the defence had raised legal objections and that the state had not established sufficient grounds for keeping the two leaders in custody. The party has maintained that it will continue to challenge the decision through legal channels. The claims made by either side have not been presented here as final judicial findings.
Magistrate’s Alleged Threats Add to the Case
The custody proceedings have also been complicated by reports that the Special Executive Magistrate handling the matter said he had received threats from unidentified people. According to reports, police registered a case or report in connection with the alleged threats. The matter has become another point of dispute during the ongoing proceedings, with CJP representatives questioning why the alleged threats should affect the consideration of their leaders’ release.
The Indian Express reported that the magistrate had cited a threat to his life before recusing himself from an earlier hearing. The Times of India also reported that a non-cognisable report had been registered over alleged threats during the bail proceedings. The allegations concerning the threats are separate from the claims made by the CJP about delays in the release process. Their relationship to the custody proceedings will depend on the relevant legal process and any findings made by the authorities.
Abhijeet Dipke’s Appeal for the Release of His Colleagues
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has publicly expressed concern over the continued detention of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. In an open letter shared on social media, Dipke described the two as important contributors to the organisation’s growth and said he wanted to see them return home. He acknowledged their work in building the party and expressed regret over the distress faced by them and their families during the period of detention.
Dipke was himself detained in connection with a proposed “Lehra Do Tiranga” demonstration in Delhi but was later granted conditional bail, according to the reports. The party has said that it will regroup and decide on its next steps once the legal situation of its detained members becomes clearer. The developments have kept the CJP’s campaign and its dispute with authorities in the public spotlight.
What Is the CJP Protesting Against?
The Cockroach Janata Party has been campaigning against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The party alleges that the revision exercise could affect voting rights and has used demonstrations and public statements to raise its concerns. Its campaign has also included opposition to the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue.
The wider controversy involves questions about electoral-roll revision, the right to protest and the regulation of public demonstrations in the national capital. Different political groups and public figures have expressed contrasting views on the protests and the response by authorities. Any assessment of the allegations relating to electoral processes or the legality of the detentions requires evidence and consideration through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.
What Happens Next?
According to the reports available on October 19, the judicial custody of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das has been extended by two days, and the matter is expected to be taken up again on Wednesday. The leaders’ release will depend on the next proceedings and the handling of the surety documents and other issues raised by the parties. Further developments may clarify the status of their custody and the legal steps being pursued by the CJP.
The case continues to draw attention because it combines a dispute over access to a designated protest venue with wider political demonstrations concerning electoral-roll revision. For now, the key confirmed development in the reports is the two-day extension of custody. Claims of deliberate obstruction by authorities remain allegations made by the CJP and its representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who are Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das?
Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das are leaders associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), who were detained following a protest-related incident at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
2. Why was their judicial custody extended?
Their custody was extended by two days on October 19, 2026. Reports said the release proceedings remained unresolved after issues arose concerning the surety documents and the state sought further custody.
3. Where were the proceedings held?
The leaders were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate for proceedings at Mandir Marg police station in New Delhi.
4. What is the CJP’s position on the case?
The party alleges that the release proceedings have been deliberately delayed and has criticised the rejection of sureties. These are the party’s claims and not established judicial findings.
5. Why was Jantar Mantar central to the incident?
The incident followed the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. The leaders allegedly entered the premises by scaling locked gates, while the CJP said its members intended to unfurl the national flag and raise slogans.
6. What issue is the CJP campaigning against?
The CJP has been protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which it alleges could threaten voters’ rights.
7. When will the leaders appear again?
Reports published on October 19 said the matter was expected to come up again on Wednesday. Readers should check subsequent reporting for any change in the schedule or custody status.
This report is based on media reports available on October 19, 2026. Allegations by the party, defence lawyers and authorities are attributed to their respective sources.
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