CJP seeks Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka release; decision awaited

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s legal team has asked a Special Executive Magistrate to release Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka from judicial custody after submitting their surety documents, India Today reported on October 17. A decision is expected by Sunday afternoon, October 18; their release has not been confirmed.

The legal team said the two had been sent to judicial custody because their sureties were unavailable on the day they were detained. Sources cited in the report said Delhi Police were checking the sureties.

Das and Ranka were sent to Tihar Jail for five days on Wednesday. Police alleged that they had breached peace bonds and entered Jantar Mantar without authorisation after it ceased to be a designated protest venue. Their associate Ajinkya Shinde was allowed to leave after signing a peace bond.

Police allegations and CJP’s objection

Police cited alleged repeated violations and the risk that Das and Ranka could disrupt public peace or incite others. The two had previously signed bonds committing them to maintain peace for a year following an earlier detention during a protest.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accused the government of suppressing dissent. In a post on X, he characterised the five-day custody order as punishment for unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar. That account and the police allegations remain competing explanations, not established findings of wrongdoing.

The detentions occurred during CJP protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

Dispute over protest venues

An October 11 order by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar designated Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as protest venues, effectively excluding Jantar Mantar from the list.

CJP has challenged the change, arguing that moving demonstrations away from the capital’s political centre would reduce the visibility of public dissent.