NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a Special Executive Magistrate’s order that extended their judicial custody. The petitioners have alleged that their continued detention, despite furnishing sureties, constitutes a direct infringement of their fundamental right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Background of the Detention
The legal proceedings stem from an incident on October 13, when Das and Ranka were taken into custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar—a designated protest site that had been denotified—by climbing over a locked gate. Along with other CJP workers, the leaders had displayed the national flag and raised slogans at the site.
The Delhi Police claimed that the protesters trespassed through private premises and obstructed officers from performing their official duties. Initially sent to a five-day judicial remand, the duo’s custody was extended by an additional two days on October 19 by a newly-appointed Special Executive Magistrate at the Mandir Marg police station under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Arguments by the Legal Team
The CJP leaders’ legal team has argued that the decision to reject fresh sureties submitted on October 19 and prolong their detention was arbitrary and legally flawed. According to their counsel, the magistrates extended the remand citing vague grounds and minor document issues, such as mismatched photographs, despite sureties having been furnished.
The party’s leadership has heavily criticized the delays. Ratna Singh, CJP legal affairs head, stated on social media, “We have moved the Delhi High Court and requested an urgent night hearing. Saurav and Ashutosh should not spend a single minute behind bars. Their liberty must not be curtailed because of political games. Justice must not wait.”
Current Status
With the Delhi High Court observing its Dussehra vacation, the legal team sought an urgent night hearing to secure the immediate release of the two co-convenors. The matter is slated to be taken up for formal consideration. Meanwhile, the high-profile trespassing case involving the CJP leaders has also been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for further investigation.