CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka to face SEM today in Jantar Mantar case
Synopsis
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka face a critical SEM hearing on Monday as their five-day judicial custody expires — stemming from a protest against the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revision at a Jantar Mantar that Delhi Police had just de-notified as a protest site.
Key Takeaways
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate at 2 pm on 19 October 2026 .
The two were sent to five-day judicial custody on 14 October for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar , de-notified as a protest site on 12 October .
They were among 14 people detained on 13 October ; party member Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond.
The protest was against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Advocate Abhisht Hela has alleged the custody order was passed in disregard of Supreme Court precedent.
Ramlila Ground , Burari Ground , and CBD Ground have been designated as alternative protest venues in Delhi .
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are scheduled to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at 2 pm on Monday, 19 October 2026, as their five-day judicial custody in the Jantar Mantar trespassing case expires. The hearing is being closely watched by the party's legal team, which has flagged concerns about procedural conduct in the case so far.
Background: What Led to the Custody
Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on 14 October by a Special Executive Magistrate after they were detained for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site on 12 October under Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026. The two leaders, along with party member Ajinkya Shinde, were among 14 people detained on 13 October after they allegedly entered the site through private premises and obstructed police personnel from discharging their official duties.
Shinde was subsequently released on a personal bond and directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months. Das and Ranka, however, were kept in judicial custody. Delhi Police stated the custody order was passed given their alleged repeated violations of law and the apprehension that they would again violate the law and instigate others if released.
What the Party's Legal Team Said
CJP's legal affairs head, Ratna Singh, expressed hope that Monday's hearing would proceed without obstruction. In a post on X, Singh said: 'I sincerely hope there will be no further delays — no IO switching off phone for hours, no threatening messages, no hearing at 6 PM, no tyre puncture to be not able to produce them. Basically no Upar se orders.'
Advocate Abhisht Hela, representing the two leaders, has also challenged the judicial custody order, alleging that authorities disregarded Supreme Court precedent. 'The laws laid down by the Supreme Court have been completely disregarded,' Hela said, alleging the order was passed without proper application of judicial mind.
Why the CJP Was Protesting
The CJP members had gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They had also raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This was not the group's first protest action — CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had previously been released following an October 10 protest after furnishing a bond of ₹50,000 each, on the condition they would not be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for one year.
New Protest Site Rules in Delhi
With Jantar Mantar de-notified as a protest venue, Delhi Police has designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative protest sites. Critics argue the de-notification effectively limits public demonstration space in the capital, and the timing — ahead of electoral roll revision scrutiny — has drawn political attention. The outcome of Monday's SEM hearing is expected to determine whether the two leaders are released or remanded further.
Point of View
Timed days before a contested electoral roll revision process, raises questions about the shrinking space for public dissent in the capital. The use of judicial custody — rather than a simple release-on-bond — for protest leaders whose earlier case was resolved with a ₹50,000 bond deserves scrutiny. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the right to protest in public spaces is constitutionally protected; the allegation that those precedents were disregarded in this custody order is serious and warrants a clear response from the magistracy. How today's hearing unfolds will signal whether procedural due process is being upheld — or whether dissent against an election authority is being treated as a category apart.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka sent to judicial custody?
They were sent to five-day judicial custody on 14 October 2026 by a Special Executive Magistrate after being detained for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site. Delhi Police cited their alleged repeated law violations and the risk of further instigation if released.
What were the CJP members protesting about at Jantar Mantar?
The CJP members were protesting against the Election Commission of India over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. They also raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
What happens at today's SEM hearing for Das and Ranka?
With their five-day judicial custody expiring on 19 October 2026, Das and Ranka are to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate at 2 pm. The outcome will determine whether they are released or face further remand.
Why has Jantar Mantar been de-notified as a protest site?
Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site on 12 October 2026 under Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026. Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi were announced as replacement venues.
What legal challenge has been raised against the custody order?
Advocate Abhisht Hela, representing the two CJP leaders, has alleged that the custody order was passed without proper judicial application of mind and in disregard of Supreme Court precedents on the right to protest.
