Jantar Mantar case: CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka get 2-day custody extension
Synopsis
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had their judicial custody extended by two more days on 19 October, even as the party's legal head accused the prosecution of presenting no legal argument at all — calling the entire hearing an 'absolute waste of time' of the SEM court. The case highlights mounting tensions over Delhi Police's de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.
Key Takeaways
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) had their judicial custody extended by 2 days on 19 October 2026 .
The duo had been in judicial custody since 14 October following their alleged trespass at Jantar Mantar .
They were among 14 people detained on 13 October for entering the de-notified protest site and obstructing police.
CJP legal head Ratna Singh alleged the Public Prosecutor presented no legal argument, calling proceedings an 'absolute waste of time.' Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a protest site on 12 October under Delhi Police Standing Order No.
L&O/48/2026 ; Ramlila Ground , Burari Ground , and CBD Ground are the new designated venues.
CJP was protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India .
The judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka was extended by two days on Monday, 19 October, by the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) at Mandir Marg police station in New Delhi, in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case. The two were produced before the SEM after their earlier five-day judicial custody — imposed on 14 October — expired the same morning.
What Happened in Court
Delhi Police sought a further extension of custody, arguing that Das and Ranka had a history of repeated legal violations and could, if released, again break the law or instigate others to do so. Opposing this, CJP's legal affairs head Ratna Singh challenged the grounds for continued detention, alleging that the prosecution had failed to make any substantive legal argument during the hearing.
'We are still at SEM court, waiting for the court to dictate order. There is no reason to extend judicial custody. Today also, no argument was presented by PP (Public Prosecutor) on law. All his arguments were mere assumptions. Absolute waste of time of SEM court,' Singh said in a post on X. She went on to call the entire proceedings a 'waste of time' and demanded the immediate release of both leaders.
Background: The Jantar Mantar Trespassing Case
Das and Ranka were among 14 people detained on 13 October after they allegedly entered 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 — through private premises. They were also accused of obstructing police personnel from performing their official duties.
A third CJP member, Ajinkya Shinde, who was detained in the same incident, was subsequently released on a personal bond with a direction to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months. The remaining detainees were processed separately.
What the CJP Was Protesting Against
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. The demonstrators raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Notably, this was not the first protest-related detention for the CJP leadership. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had earlier been released in connection with an October 10 protest after each furnished a bond of ₹50,000, on the condition that they would not be involved in any breach-of-peace cases for one year.
New Protest Venue Guidelines
Delhi Police confirmed that Jantar Mantar's de-notification as a protest site was formally effected on 12 October. Three alternative venues have been designated under the new guidelines: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi. Authorities have indicated that protests held outside these venues will be treated as violations of public order law.
The next date of hearing before the SEM is expected imminently, and CJP's legal team has indicated it will continue to contest the custody extension.
Point of View
As alleged by CJP's own counsel, raises due-process questions that go beyond the fate of two individuals. If the courts consistently extend custody without robust legal justification, the custody mechanism risks being perceived as a deterrent to dissent rather than a tool of legitimate law enforcement. The ECI electoral roll controversy that sparked the protests also merits independent attention, separate from the public order framing that has dominated coverage.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka in judicial custody?
Das and Ranka were detained on 13 October for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar after it was de-notified as a protest site, and for obstructing police personnel. They were sent to five-day judicial custody on 14 October, which was extended by two more days on 19 October.
What is the Jantar Mantar trespassing case about?
It concerns a protest held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi by Cockroach Janata Party members against alleged irregularities in the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Jantar Mantar had been formally de-notified as a designated protest site on 12 October 2026, and the participants allegedly entered the area through private premises.
What did CJP's legal head Ratna Singh say about the custody extension?
Singh, posting on X, alleged that the Public Prosecutor made no substantive legal argument during the hearing and relied solely on assumptions. She called the proceedings an 'absolute waste of time' of the SEM court and demanded the immediate release of both leaders.
Who are the alternative protest venues after Jantar Mantar was de-notified?
Under Delhi Police Standing Order No. L&O/48/2026, three venues have been designated as alternatives: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi. Protests outside these sites are treated as violations of public order law.
What happened to the other CJP members detained in the same case?
CJP member Ajinkya Shinde, detained in the same 13 October incident, was released on a personal bond and directed to maintain peace for six months. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, Das, and Ranka had earlier been released after an October 10 protest on a ₹50,000 bond each, with a one-year no-breach-of-peace condition.
