On Monday, the Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi ordered an additional two‑day extension of judicial custody for Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The decision came after the pair appeared at the Mandir Marg police station following the expiry of their initial five‑day detention.
Delhi Police had filed a request for the extension, arguing that the activists might repeat the alleged trespass at Jantar Mantar and incite further violations. The police cited repeated breaches of law and a perceived risk of reoffending as grounds for continued custody.
CJP’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh contested the move on X, asserting that the public prosecutor failed to present any legal argument before the magistrate. Singh described the hearing as an unnecessary delay, urging the court to release the two activists.
The two leaders were first taken into custody on October 14 after being identified among 14 individuals detained on October 13 for allegedly entering the protest zone through private property and obstructing police duties. Party member Ajinkya Shinde, also arrested, secured release on personal bond and was instructed to observe six months of good behaviour.
The protest stemmed from CJP’s objection to the Election Commission of India over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Demonstrators raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier, founder Abhijeet Dipke, along with Das and Ranka, had been released on a Rs 50,000 bond after the October 10 demonstration, on condition of no further breach‑of‑peace for a year.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News