CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka’s custody extended by two days, next hearing on October 21

New Delhi: A Special Executive Magistrate on Monday extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two days, officials said. The next hearing is scheduled for October 21.

The order came after Delhi Police sought a five-day extension and opposed their release. The court had earlier reserved its decision after hearing the police request and an application filed by the leaders’ legal team.

Legal team submits sureties

The legal team sought the release of Das and Ranka after placing their sureties on record. According to the team, the leaders had initially been sent to judicial custody because sureties were unavailable on the day of their detention.

The party had earlier alleged that authorities delayed their release and rejected guarantees submitted by four bail sureties for unclear reasons.

Why leaders were detained

Police detained Das and Ranka on October 13 after they entered Jantar Mantar, a day after authorities denotified it as a designated protest site. They were sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14.

The leaders maintained that they had unfurled the national flag and raised slogans at the site.

According to a Delhi Police statement, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members reached Jantar Mantar through private premises. Police alleged that the group obstructed security personnel who tried to stop them.

Police took all 14 people into custody and preventively arrested Das, Ranka and Shinde over alleged attempts to disturb public peace. Shinde later secured bail on the condition that he maintain peace and good behaviour.

Protests against electoral revision

The CJP has protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party alleges that the exercise threatens voters’ rights.

It has also opposed the removal of Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites.

Report over alleged threat

Separately, Delhi Police registered a non-cognisable report against unidentified persons on Sunday over an alleged threat to a magistrate during the leaders’ bail hearing.

CJP legal cell head Ratna Singh said the Special Executive Magistrate informed her that the court had received a threatening message.