CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka: Custody Extended

CJP Leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka’s Judicial Custody Extended by Two Days in Delhi

New Delhi, October 19, 2026: A Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two more days in connection with an alleged breach of peace bonds linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar.

The development follows an earlier five-day judicial remand imposed on October 14. Delhi Police had sought a further five-day extension, but the magistrate granted two additional days of custody. The two leaders are expected to be produced before the magistrate again on October 21.

Why Were Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Detained?

The case relates to a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, where the two CJP leaders allegedly entered the restricted site by climbing over a locked gate and raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Jantar Mantar had been removed from the list of designated protest venues by Delhi Police. The authorities have alleged that the leaders’ actions violated the conditions of peace bonds imposed during earlier preventive proceedings.

The two leaders had previously been apprehended at an airport on October 10 ahead of demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner. They were released after preventive proceedings and were reportedly required to furnish peace bonds of ₹50,000 each.

They were detained again following the October 13 incident and remanded to five days of judicial custody the following day.

Police Sought Five More Days of Custody

During the latest proceedings on October 19, Delhi Police sought an extension of five days, citing concerns relating to the alleged breach of the peace bonds and the maintenance of public order.

The Special Executive Magistrate granted a two-day extension instead. The leaders will remain in custody until the next scheduled proceedings, subject to any further order.

The case involves preventive proceedings under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The allegations concerning the protest and the alleged breach of the bonds remain subject to the legal process.

CJP Raises Questions Over Bail Proceedings

The custody extension has also prompted criticism from the party.

CJP representatives have alleged that the bail proceedings were being delayed and that the continued detention of the two leaders was unjustified. The party has questioned the grounds for keeping them in custody and has indicated that it intends to pursue legal remedies.

These are allegations made by the party and should be distinguished from any findings made by the court. The latest custody extension does not, by itself, determine the merits of the leaders’ claims or the allegations against them.

Connection With the Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

CJP has been campaigning against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party has demanded greater transparency in the voter-list revision process and called for the CEC’s resignation.

The dispute has formed part of a wider political debate over electoral-roll changes, voter rights and the procedures governing public demonstrations.

The authorities’ position in the present matter concerns the alleged breach of peace bonds and entry into a site that had been removed from the list of designated protest venues. The party, meanwhile, has questioned the legality and handling of the continued detention.

What Happens Next? -  Saurav Das Ashutosh Ranka Custody

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are expected to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate again on October 21, 2026. Further proceedings will determine the next steps concerning their custody and bail applications.

The case continues to draw attention to the legal limits governing demonstrations, preventive proceedings and the conditions imposed on individuals through peace bonds.

Key takeaway: A Delhi magistrate has extended the judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two days, following an earlier five-day remand. The proceedings concern an alleged breach of peace bonds linked to their entry into Jantar Mantar during a protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.