New Delhi, Oct 2026 : The judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka was extended by two days on Monday by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) in connection with an alleged trespassing incident at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The two leaders were produced before the SEM at Mandir Marg police station after their five-day judicial custody, ordered on October 14, came to an end. Delhi Police sought an extension of their custody, while the party’s legal affairs head, Ratna Singh, questioned the need for continued detention and accused the prosecution of failing to present substantive legal arguments.
In a post on X, Singh said the proceedings were taking time without addressing the legal basis for extending custody. She alleged that the public prosecutor had relied on assumptions rather than arguments on the law and demanded the release of the two leaders.
“There is no reason to extend judicial custody. Today also, no argument was presented by PP (Public Prosecutor) on law,” Singh wrote, describing the proceedings as a waste of time.
Das and Ranka were among 14 people detained by Delhi Police on October 13 after they allegedly entered the Jantar Mantar area through private premises and obstructed police personnel from performing their official duties. Party member Ajinkya Shinde was also detained in connection with the incident.
The detentions took place during a CJP protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protesters reportedly raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police had cited concerns over alleged repeated violations of the law and apprehensions that the accused could engage in similar activities or instigate others if released. These concerns were put forward by the police in support of their request for continued custody.
Shinde was released on a personal bond and directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months.
The latest proceedings follow an earlier case involving a CJP protest held on October 10. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had been released in that matter after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000. Their release was subject to a condition that they would not be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for one year.
The Jantar Mantar incident has also brought renewed attention to restrictions governing demonstrations in the national capital. Delhi Police has stated that Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest site on October 12 under revised guidelines issued through Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026.
Following the change, Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi were designated as alternative venues for protests.
The two CJP leaders’ custody has now been extended until the next scheduled proceedings. The allegations against them remain subject to the legal process, while the party has challenged the grounds for their continued detention.
