New Delhi, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to urgently hear a plea filed by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka seeking their release from custody in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case.
The development comes as their judicial custody is due to end on Wednesday, with both activists also scheduled to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court.
CJP’s head of legal affairs, Ratna Singh, said on Tuesday that the two activists had approached the High Court and sought an urgent night hearing.
“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,” she said in a post on X.
On Monday, SEM Ritu Raj extended their custody, observing that their conduct “shows no respect for law” and reflects their “habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas”.
In its order, the SEM court said the investigating officer had placed substantial material on record, raising concerns about the possibility of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
The court also recorded that the two activists had allegedly violated bonds furnished before the SEM, South-West District, on October 11, and subsequently breached the peace in the present case.
The SEM further observed that their assurance against repeating the alleged offence did not inspire confidence, given their past conduct and the material submitted by the investigating officer.
Das and Ranka, along with CJP member Ajinkya Shinde, were among 14 people detained on October 13 after they allegedly entered Jantar Mantar through private premises and obstructed police personnel from performing their official duties.
The CJP members were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police defended their continued custody, citing repeated alleged violations of the law and apprehensions that their release could lead to further violations and encourage others to engage in similar conduct.
The SEM court had also found the sureties submitted on behalf of the two activists unsuitable following an enquiry. It cited discrepancies in identity documents and the sureties’ inability to provide basic details about the individuals for whom they had stood surety. The court directed the activists to furnish fresh sureties.
FOLLOW NOW
