Judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka has been extended by two days, with the grounds for the extension not yet available. The two are held over the alleged breach of their earlier peace bonds, which is the police’s case and has not been tested.
New Delhi: On the expiry of their five-day judicial custody, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were kept in custody for two more days by a Special Executive Magistrate court in Delhi on Monday, October 19. The two were remanded last week for allegedly violating peace bonds furnished by them earlier this month [State v. Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka].
Both were produced before the Special Executive Magistrate when the five-day judicial custody ordered on October 14 ran out. The grounds recorded for the extension, and the submissions made on behalf of the two leaders, were not immediately available.
What the police allege
The police say Das and Ranka breached the peace bonds by attempting to unfurl the national flag at Jantar Mantar on October 14 in violation of prohibitory orders, at a site that has since been de-notified as a designated protest venue. The allegations also relate to social media calls for a gathering there and slogans raised at the spot. On October 14, Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena remanded the two to five days of judicial custody.
The provisions in play
Under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), an Executive Magistrate can require a person likely to commit a breach of the peace to show cause why they should not execute a bond to keep the peace, while Section 170 permits arrest to prevent a cognizable offence. Where a person bound over is alleged to have breached the bond, the Magistrate can order detention until the period of the bond expires, which is the basis on which the custody of Das and Ranka continues.
ALSO READ: Delhi Court Remands CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka To Five Days Judicial Custody
From the airport to Monday’s order
The story began on October 10, when Das and Ranka, along with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, were held at the airport ahead of the party’s protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Preventive proceedings were initiated under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS, and they were released after furnishing peace bonds of Rs 50,000 each.
Dipke was detained at his residence on October 16, ahead of the CJP’s Connaught Place march, and was granted conditional bail by a Delhi court on October 17.
ALSO READ: Delhi Court Outcomes Explained: Why Dipke Secured Release While Saurav Das And Ranka Remained Jailed
The allegation of breach is the police’s case and has not been tested. The proceedings are preventive and not a prosecution for any offence, and no finding of guilt has been recorded against either of the two.
Case: State v. Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka (preventive proceedings under the BNSS; case number not available)
Forum: Special Executive Magistrate, Delhi
Date of Order: October 19, 2026
Appearances: Not reported
