CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Remanded to Judicial Custody Till October 21

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been remanded to further judicial custody until October 21, 2026. An Executive Magistrate (SEM) in Delhi’s South-West District ordered their continued custody, citing concerns that their conduct could lead to a breach of peace and disturb public tranquillity.

According to an order accessed by NDTV, the magistrate said the two leaders had allegedly violated bonds they submitted on October 11 and had subsequently been involved in another breach of peace.

The order reflects the magistrate’s assessment of the police material placed on record. These observations are allegations and judicial findings at this stage, not proof that the respondents have committed a criminal offence.

Why has the magistrate ordered continued custody?

The magistrate said the investigating officer had submitted material raising concerns about the possibility of further disturbances.

According to the order, the authorities were particularly concerned about the leaders’ alleged involvement in calling protests in areas where such demonstrations had been de-notified, meaning they were no longer officially permitted under the relevant arrangements.

The magistrate also questioned whether the leaders’ assurance that they would not repeat the alleged conduct could be trusted. The order described their behaviour as showing a lack of respect for the law.

In simple terms, the magistrate was not satisfied that releasing the two leaders would adequately address the risk of further disturbances.

The order also says the investigating officer’s application was supported by material that, in the magistrate’s view, raised serious concerns about public peace. The respondents have been given an opportunity to submit their arguments in writing within two days.

Why were the sureties rejected?

The order also raises questions about the people who came forward as sureties for Das and Ranka.

A surety is a person who gives an undertaking to the court to help ensure that someone complies with the court’s directions and appears when required. The magistrate found that the fresh sureties presented on behalf of the two leaders were not suitable.

In one case, the magistrate noted an apparent mismatch between the photograph on the surety bond and the photograph on the person’s Aadhaar card. The person allegedly failed to provide another valid identity document and gave answers the magistrate considered vague and unsatisfactory.

The second surety was questioned about basic details concerning Saurav Das, including his parentage and address. According to the order, the person was unable to provide satisfactory answers despite agreeing to stand as his surety.

The magistrate also observed that neither person appeared to have sufficient control over the respondents to ensure their appearance before the court.

Since no other sureties were available at that time, the two leaders were directed to furnish fresh sureties.

What did the defence tell the court?

The lawyer representing Das and Ranka sought their immediate release and assured the court that they would not repeat the alleged conduct.

The defence also argued that the two leaders had not called for any protest after October 10, 2026. It submitted that they had gone individually to Jantar Mantar.

This was the defence’s position in response to the concerns raised by the authorities. The magistrate, however, decided that the apprehension of a breach of peace warranted continued custody for the time being.

What happens next?

The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on October 21, 2026. Das and Ranka are to remain in judicial custody until then, according to the order.

The next proceedings will provide an opportunity for further arguments and consideration of the issues raised by both sides, including the concerns about public peace and the suitability of the sureties.

For now, the key point is that the magistrate has ordered preventive action based on the material presented by the investigating officer. The defence has sought release and disputed the basis for continued custody.

The case will return to the magistrate on October 21, when the next steps are expected to be considered.