CJP's Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Get 2-Day Custody Extension; Delhi Police Transfers Case to Crime Branch

The custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka was extended by two days on Monday, while the case against them was transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch. The two were arrested after allegedly scaling an iron gate to enter the recently de-notified Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi.

The leaders had initially been sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14. A special executive magistrate (SEM) at Mandir Marg police station extended their custody after hearing arguments from the police and their lawyers.

Magistrate Cites Violation of Bonds

In a two-page order the SEM said Das and Ranka had “deliberately breached” the bonds they signed on October 11. The order also questioned their conduct, stating that the grounds of apprehension suggested they showed little respect for the law and had repeatedly called protests at areas no longer designated for demonstrations.

The Delhi Police sought further custody, arguing that releasing the two could disrupt peace and public order.

According to the order, police alleged that the CJP leaders had mobilised members of the public to assemble at Jantar Mantar, despite the site having been de-notified as a designated protest location. The police also argued that the duo had previously secured permission to hold protests by promising to follow the prescribed conditions but had allegedly failed to honour those assurances.

Lawyers Challenge Grounds for Detention

Advocate Abhik Chimni, representing the leaders, told that there was no evidence to establish that their release would threaten public order.

Their lawyers also questioned the rejection of their sureties over an alleged mismatch in documents. They argued that the authorities were restricting the leaders' liberty on vague grounds despite the submission of fresh surety documents.

“The law says release them first and then see the verification, surety, and so on,” Chimni said, adding that the two had submitted another surety along with the required details.

He questioned the magistrate's reliance on a reported mismatch in a photograph and the apprehension that the leaders might cause trouble if released.

Previous Magistrate's Complaint of Threats

The change of magistrate also figured in the proceedings. The SEM hearing the matter on Monday had been appointed after the previous magistrate reportedly left the proceedings a day earlier, claiming to have received threatening messages while hearing the case.

Police subsequently registered a first information report (FIR) based on the predecessor's complaint.

Ratna Singh, CJP's head of legal affairs, criticised the continued detention, describing it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices. She alleged that the case had repeatedly faced delays and that the authorities had been finding reasons to keep the leaders in custody.

Speaking outside the police station, Singh said the proceedings had become a “mockery” and questioned the decision to send the duo to judicial custody on what she described as vague grounds.

Police Cite Festival Season and Risk of Fresh Protests

Senior Delhi Police officials maintained that the leaders should not be released because of their previous actions, particularly during the festive season.

An officer familiar with the hearing alleged that the duo had repeatedly called for mass gatherings and violated the law. Police also claimed that some protests called by them had involved attacks on police personnel.

The officer said investigators feared that the leaders could regroup and plan another demonstration if released. Police also wanted to question them about their alleged involvement in the protests.

The case has now been transferred to the Crime Branch, officials said.

Arrests Follow Protest Call Against Chief Election Commissioner

The latest proceedings follow a series of events that began on October 10 and 11, when Das and Ranka were detained ahead of a planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

On October 11, they were released on bonds requiring them not to breach the peace for one year.

They were arrested again on October 12 after allegedly scaling an iron gate and entering the Jantar Mantar protest site. On October 14, the special executive magistrate ordered five days of judicial custody after the police argued that there was a presumption that the accused might commit an offence if released.

Their custody was extended by another two days on Monday, as the legal dispute over their detention continued.