CJP leaders Ranka, Saurav Das to remain in jail; judicial custody extended

NEW DELHI: A Special Executive Magistrate ordered the extension of the judicial custody of 'Cockroach Janata Party' leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das for another two days. Both will be produced before the court again on Wednesday. This action follows a case involving their unauthorised entry into Jantar Mantar and the obstruction of police officers performing their official duties. Jantar Mantar is not a designated venue for protests. Along with Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, 12 other party activists are also named as accused in the case.

Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody following a protest held at Jantar Mantar on October 13. Meanwhile, CJP alleged that deliberate delays in proceedings related to their bail application were the handiwork of authorities. Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the CJP, wrote on X that the arrest is unlawful and that various tactics are being employed to stall the legal process.

The Special Executive Magistrate, who considered the bail application, revealed receiving threats from unknown individuals. Following this, the police registered a 'Non-Cognizable Report' (NCR). CJP alleged that the documents submitted by the sureties for the release of the leaders were rejected, with vague reasons cited for the decision. A dispute persists between the CJP and the authorities regarding the delays in the proceedings related to the bail application.