Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Release Order: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will soon be walking out of Tihar Jail as they have spent seven days here being held in judicial custody. A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) in Delhi released them today on Wednesday October 21, 2026 by taking their personal and surety bonds.
They were arrested for entering the recently de-notified protest site during a protest at Jantar Mantar with national flag in hand and raising slogans.
Their arrest gave rise to a legal tussle between the parties regarding the reasons given for prolonging their custody, and about putting up restrictions on holding protests at that location.
Why Were Saurav Das And Ashutosh Ranka Arrested?
The case relates to CJP’s protests seeking resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to alleged irregularities during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to the reports, the duo was detained for entering into Jantar Mantar that too recently stripped off from the list of designated protest spots. Further, it was claimed that both had violated their peace bonds.
As reported, a Special Executive Magistrate remanded them in judicial custody for five days on October 14. This term got further stretched by another two days on October 19.
Delhi Police Sought Further Custody
Delhi Police had asked for additional three days’ custody before releasing them. They cited issues of public order and the likelihood of more protests.
“Based on their previous conduct and calling of demonstration there were some apprehensions regarding maintenance of peace,” said the police. However, they did argue against the grounds on which Delhi Police sought their continued detention. Lawyers for both accused individuals questioned why their sureties were rejected.
The case was heard by Delhi High Court on October 21. The court refused to entertain their challenge to the extension of custody after asking questions regarding the right legal remedy.
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Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Release Order: Why Did The Magistrate Order?
After accepting the personal and surety bonds of Das & Ranka respectively, the Special Executive Magistrate released them from Judicial Custody (the seven-day period was completed). It’s a significant shift in direction for this case though as mentioned before the release order doesn’t mean that there was a judicial finding about the allegations either.
The order signed by SEM Ritu Raj, an ACP-rank officer with the Delhi Police, said that Ranka and Das’s conduct did not inspire “confidence”, that they have “no respect for law” and that they have habitually called for protests at a de-notified site. While being taken away, Das had termed the SEM a “police court” and said “there’s no justice”.
“We will not make any calls for protest at Jantar Mantar till such a time that it is de-notified in accordance with Law. That we further reiterate that any protest undertaken would be done within the four corners of the Constitution,” the undertaking signed by Das and Ranka read.
What Is The CJP Protest All About?
The Cockroach Janta Party had previously participated in protests related to electoral-roll revisions and demands of holding the Election Commission accountable. Demonstrations by the party have highlighted the limitations placed upon protests occurring at Jantar Mantar.
Voters whose names were struck off of their electoral rolls are allowed to request re-enrolment according to the Election Commission’s statements, but controversy around the process of the revisions along with limitations regarding the demonstrations continue to draw both political and legal interest.
