Full Breakdown
Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Leaders Amid Allegations of Delayed Bail
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Two-Day Extension of Custody for Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das
On Monday, a Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg police station extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das by two days. The leaders, placed in five-day custody on October 14 after being detained on October 13 for scaling the locked gates of Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, will remain at Tihar Jail until a further hearing on October 21.
Background & Context
Jantar Mantar’s de-notification followed an order by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, which designated alternative venues for public demonstrations. The CJP has been protesting the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the tenure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arguing that the revision threatens voters’ rights.
Ranka and Das executed peace bonds on October 10—INR50,000 each, pledging a year of good behaviour. Delhi Police allege that the October 13 entry breached those bonds, prompting the initial custody order.
Data & Statistics
- Initial custody: five days starting October 14.
- Extension: two additional days ordered on the Monday hearing.
- Surety amount: INR50,000 per leader.
- Rejected sureties: four individuals, cited as “vague” or “unsatisfactory”.
- Waiting time at Mandir Marg police station: approximately five hours before the hearing began.
Official Statements & Responses
- Delhi Police maintain that the leaders’ release could disrupt “peace and tranquility” and that the extension is justified on the basis of an alleged breach of the peace bonds.
- CJP legal head Ratna Singh contended that the magistrate’s hearing was delayed for hours, that the public prosecutor introduced an unrelated threat claim, and that the rejection of sureties lacked legal basis.
- A senior police officer said the surety bonds were “faulty” and therefore could not be accepted, emphasizing procedural compliance.
Criticism & Opposition
- Ratna Singh described the proceedings as “a circus” and accused authorities of crushing liberty.
- National secretary Aafreen Nawaz argued that the police were “orchestrating… to delay the hearing” and highlighted repeated rejections of bank-stamped fixed deposits.
On-the-Ground Reports
Witnesses reported that the SEM arrived at the police station around 1:30 pm–2:00 pm, but the hearing did not commence until about 5 pm. The hearing lasted only eight to ten minutes, leaving the release of the two leaders unresolved for the fifth consecutive day.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Police claim: Ranka and Das violated the terms of their peace bonds by re-entering the restricted area, justifying continued custody.
- CJP claim: The leaders did not issue any new protest call, no fresh breach occurred, and the delays are a deliberate tactic to keep them detained.
- No FIR has been filed in connection with the current custody extension, and the specific nature of the alleged “threat” to the magistrate remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Unfurling the Indian National Flag is not a crime, and the boys should not remain in custody due to procedural delays.” — Ratna Singh, activist
- “They started blaming us for sending the threats. I mean... how’s that related to the case? They just orchestrated all this to delay the hearing. They didn’t hear anything. I’m sure they are trying to delay this further as there will be holiday on Monday as well” — Aafreen Nawaz, national secretary
What’s Next
The next appearance before the Special Executive Magistrate is scheduled for October 21. The CJP has indicated that it will pursue further legal action if the leaders remain in custody beyond that date.