A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in Delhi on Monday, 19 October 2026, extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two days, citing concerns over a possible breach of peace and public tranquillity, as reported in Bar and Bench.
SEM Ritu Raj observed that the activists’ conduct showed a lack of respect for the law and that their assurance against repeating the alleged conduct did not inspire confidence in light of their previous actions.
The court also noted that they had shown “habitualness” by calling for protests at de-notified areas.
“The application filed by IO [Investigating Officer] is supported by substantial material on record, raising serious concerns regarding the likelihood of breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, which cannot be brushed aside without proper consideration,” the court said.
The court also rejected the sureties produced for Das and Ranka, finding them unfit to guarantee the activists’ appearance before it.
In one instance, the court noted a mismatch between the photograph on a surety bond and the surety’s Aadhaar card. The individual failed to produce another valid identity document and gave unsatisfactory answers during the inquiry.
The other surety could not provide basic details about Saurav Das. The court further found that neither surety could ensure the respondents’ presence before it.
“The inquiry conducted revealed that both the Sureties has no control over the Respondents to produce them before the Court, which is primary essence of keeping Surety. No other Surety present at present. In such a situation, respondents are directed to furnish fresh Sureties,” the court recorded in its order.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on October 21.
Police Allege Breach of Undertaking
Das and Ranka were detained by the Delhi Police on October 13 after they allegedly climbed the barricaded gates at Jantar Mantar and entered the protest site. On October 14, they were sent to judicial custody for five days.
When they were produced before the SEM on Monday, the police sought an extension of their custody, alleging that the activists had breached an undertaking given before the court on October 11.
According to the police, the activists had called on the public to assemble at Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a protest site. Officials also alleged that the two repeatedly used social media to mobilise people for protests at non-designated locations, including Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place.
The police also referred to an anonymous WhatsApp communication allegedly containing threats that had been received by the predecessor court. A separate daily diary entry had reportedly been registered in connection with the communication.
Opposing further detention, counsel for Das and Ranka argued that they should be released immediately and assured the court that they would not repeat the alleged conduct. They also disputed the allegation that the activists had called for protests after October 10.
The court, however, accepted the police’s request and extended their judicial custody by two days.
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