CJP Leaders Fight Back: Ranka and Das Challenge Custody Extension in Delhi High Court
Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das of the Cockroach Janata Party move Delhi High Court against the extension of their judicial custody.
In a sharp legal escalation, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das have approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the extension of their judicial custody. Their legal team has moved the court for an urgent hearing, arguing against the continued detention of the two political figures.
The Court's Decision to Extend Detention
The legal battle intensified on Monday, October 19, 2026, when the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court, presided over by Rituraj, decided to keep Ranka and Das behind bars. The magistrate extended their judicial custody until October 21, 2026, citing a blatant disregard for legal protocols.
According to the SEM court's order, the two leaders allegedly violated a bond they had submitted on October 11, 2026, before the Special Executive Magistrate of the South-West District. The court observed a troubling pattern of behavior, claiming that the duo had been inciting protests in areas where such activities are prohibited.
The Jantar Mantar Conflict
At the heart of the dispute is the unauthorized entry and protest at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police, which had requested a five-day extension of the custody, argued that the release of Ranka and Das could potentially jeopardize peace and public order in the city.
The leaders have been in custody since October 14, 2026. This crackdown follows a controversial move by the Delhi Police to remove Jantar Mantar from the official list of designated sites for public protests.
CJP Reacts: 'Political Motivation'
The Cockroach Janata Party has reacted with outrage over the detention, framing it as an attempt to stifle political dissent.
- Ratna Singh, CJP Legal Head: Emphasized that the freedom of the leaders should not be compromised by political motives and stressed that justice must be delivered without delay.
- Abhijeet Deepke, CJP Founder: Took to the social media platform X to criticize the move, asserting that the "voice of resistance" cannot be suppressed by such actions.
As the matter now moves to the Delhi High Court, the focus remains on whether the court will view the detention as a necessary measure for maintaining law and order or an undue restriction on political expression.