'Deliberately Breached Peace Bonds, No Respect For Law': Delhi SEM Extends Judicial Custody of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka

A Delhi Special Executive Magistrate on October 19, 2026 extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka till October 21, observing that their conduct showed “no respect for law” and their “habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas”.

Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Ritu Raj held the two had 'deliberately' breached their peace bonds immediately after executing them on October 11. The magistrate also cited the investigating officer’s concerns about a possible breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity while extending their custody by two days.

The order came after Delhi Police sought a five-day extension of their custody, alleging that the two had violated the conditions of their bonds by entering Jantar Mantar, which had been removed from the list of designated protest venues.

“The grounds of apprehension as presented before me apparently suggest that the conduct of the respondents is not above board; rather it shows no respect for law and their habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas,” the magistrate observed.

The magistrate further said that the respondents’ statements before the court that they would not repeat the alleged conduct did not inspire confidence in view of the material placed on record.

Why custody was extended

According to the order, the investigating officer submitted that the two leaders had allegedly mobilised the public for a protest at Jantar Mantar, despite the site having been de-notified as a designated protest venue.

The police also alleged that the leaders had repeatedly called for protests at non-designated sites, including Connaught Place, through social media posts. The investigating officer further cited an alleged threatening communication to the magistrate’s predecessor, for which a separate daily diary entry had been registered.

The magistrate said the application seeking further detention was supported by substantial material raising serious concerns about the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, which could not be brushed aside without proper consideration.

The magistrate also recorded that the two had allegedly breached the bonds they executed on October 11 before the South-West District magistrate and immediately committed a breach of peace.

The defence, however, argued that the two should be released immediately and would not repeat the alleged offence. Their counsel also submitted that the leaders had not made any calls for protests after October 10 and that CJP co-founder Abhishek Dipke, who had been released by the court, had not made any such calls either.

The defence further argued that the two had individually gone to Jantar Mantar and that there was no apprehension that they would repeat the alleged conduct.

The magistrate granted the two an opportunity to submit their arguments in writing within two days, with an advance copy to be provided to the investigating officer.

Background

The present custody proceedings follow the detention of Das and Ranka over their alleged entry into Jantar Mantar after the site was removed from the list of designated protest venues.

The two CJP leaders, along with CJP member Ajinkya Shinde, were detained on October 13. They were accused of crossing police barricades and entering the Jantar Mantar area while raising slogans and holding the national flag. Das and Ranka were subsequently remanded to five days of judicial custody, while Shinde was released on a personal bond.

The police action followed an October 11 order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, which identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as designated venues for protests and demonstrations, removing Jantar Mantar from the list.

The police had alleged that Das and Ranka had earlier executed bonds undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year after being detained during a previous protest. They were reportedly released after furnishing surety bonds of ₹50,000 each.

The leaders’ counsel had disputed the grounds for their detention and questioned the claim that they had violated the conditions of their bonds.

Separately, Dipke, the party’s founder, was granted bail by a Special Executive Magistrate on October 17, subject to conditions including a peace bond requiring him to maintain peace for one year.

Fresh sureties directed

Apart from extending their custody, the magistrate directed Das and Ranka to furnish fresh sureties after finding discrepancies in the sureties produced on their behalf.

The magistrate found a mismatch between photographs on a surety’s bond and Aadhaar card, along with vague or unsatisfactory answers during the inquiry. Another surety allegedly failed to provide basic details of Ranka, for whom she had stood surety.

The magistrate also recorded that the inquiry revealed that both sureties had no control over Das and Ranka to ensure compliance with the conditions of the surety.

The matter has been listed for further proceedings on October 21 at 2 pm, when the two leaders are to be produced before the magistrate.