CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka move Delhi HC for release in Jantar Mantar case
Synopsis
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are heading to the Delhi High Court to challenge a custody extension ordered by a Special Executive Magistrate, who said their conduct 'shows no respect for law.' The case stems from a protest against alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process at Jantar Mantar, where 14 people were detained after entering through private premises.
Key Takeaways
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) are set to petition the Delhi High Court for release on 20 October 2026 .
The SEM court extended their judicial custody until 21 October , observing their conduct 'shows no respect for law.' The two leaders were among 14 people detained on 13 October for trespassing at Jantar Mantar and obstructing police personnel.
The protest was against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls; slogans were raised against CEC Gyanesh Kumar .
The SEM court found the sureties furnished for both leaders unfit, citing document discrepancies, and directed fresh sureties to be provided.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are set to move the Delhi High Court seeking their release, challenging a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court order that extended their judicial custody in connection with a Jantar Mantar trespassing case. The development comes on 20 October 2026, a day after the SEM court extended their custody until 21 October.
What the SEM Court Observed
The SEM court, presided over by SEM Ritu Raj at Mandir Marg police station, extended the judicial custody of the two leaders after their earlier five-day judicial custody concluded on Monday. In its order, the court observed that their conduct “shows no respect for law” and reflects their “habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas.”
The court also noted that the investigating officer had placed substantial material on record, raising concerns over a likely breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity. It further recorded that the two leaders had allegedly breached bonds furnished before the SEM, South-West District, on 11 October, and subsequently committed a breach of peace in the present case.
How the Arrests Came About
Das and Ranka, along with party member Ajinkya Shinde, were among 14 people detained on 13 October after they reportedly entered Jantar Mantar through private premises and obstructed police personnel from discharging their official duties. The CJP members had been protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and had raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police's Stand
Delhi Police justified the continued custody of both leaders, citing repeated violations of law and apprehensions that their release could lead to further violations and the instigation of others. This is notable given that their earlier release was already conditioned on furnished sureties.
The SEM court had additionally found the sureties furnished on behalf of the two leaders unfit following an inquiry, citing discrepancies in identity documents and the sureties' inability to provide basic details about the persons for whom they stood surety. Both leaders were accordingly directed to furnish fresh sureties.
What Happens Next
With the Delhi High Court petition expected to be filed imminently, the higher court's ruling will determine whether Das and Ranka are released ahead of the 21 October custody deadline. The case has drawn attention to the SIR process and the boundaries of permissible protest at designated public spaces like Jantar Mantar, which has historically been a focal point for political demonstrations in the capital.
Point of View
Even as the Election Commission's revision methodology has separately drawn criticism from opposition parties. How the High Court rules could set an informal benchmark for how similar electoral-process protests at de-notified sites are treated going forward.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka detained?
They were among 14 people detained on 13 October after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar through private premises and obstructing police from performing their duties. They were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Why has the SEM court refused to release them?
The Special Executive Magistrate extended their custody until 21 October, observing that their conduct 'shows no respect for law' and reflects a pattern of calling protests at de-notified areas. The court also found the sureties furnished on their behalf unfit due to document discrepancies.
What is the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)?
The Cockroach Janata Party is a political party whose leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were involved in the Jantar Mantar protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The SIR is a targeted revision process carried out by the Election Commission of India to update and verify voter rolls. The CJP leaders were protesting what they alleged were irregularities in this process at the time of their detention.
What happens next in the case?
Das and Ranka are set to approach the Delhi High Court challenging the SEM court's custody extension. The High Court's ruling will determine whether they are released ahead of the 21 October judicial custody deadline.
