Story perspectives

Delhi Police Win Two-Day Custody Extension for Protest Arrests

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 4:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Delhi Police secured a two-day extension of custody for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg police station granted the extension on Monday.
Das and Ranka were arrested on October 14 for breaching security at Jantar Mantar during SIR protests.
Police argued the duo could protest and asked for five days.
CJP’s legal team said no evidence of threat, leading police to receive only a two-day extension.

History

Historical Context

During the 1975-77 Emergency, Indira Gandhi used MISA to detain roughly 100,000 opponents, suspending judicial review and curtailing civil liberties. The act was repealed after the Janata Party’s 1977 victory. Today Delhi Police’s two-day custody extension for protestors echoes that legacy, prompting calls for stronger safeguards against preventive detention in democratic India.

1 of 2

Story summary

Delhi Police secured a two-day extension of custody for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg police station granted the extension on Monday.
Das and Ranka were arrested on October 14 for breaching security at Jantar Mantar during SIR protests.
Police argued the duo could protest and asked for five days.
CJP’s legal team said no evidence of threat, leading police to receive only a two-day extension.

1 / 2