'They walked into court with smiles': CJP slams extension of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka's custody

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has criticised the extension of judicial custody of its convenors, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, by two days, with supporters and activists accusing the authorities of targeting young protesters for unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar.

The duo, who have been in custody since October 13, were produced before a special executive magistrate (SEM) at Mandir Marg police station on Monday. Their custody was extended by two days on October 19, following which CJP representatives and others voiced their objections on social media.

CJP legal head questions custody extension

Ratna Singh, CJP’s head of legal affairs, said she had met Das and Ranka before leaving and described them as determined despite being in custody.

“I met Saurav and Ashu before leaving, and they are stronger than we think. This is how the State tries to crush young people, but it should know that it will not break their spirit,” she posted on X.

Questioning the grounds for keeping them in jail, Singh added, “Keeping them in jail for unfurling the national flag? If this isn’t an undeclared Emergency, then what is? Repression will not break their spirit.”

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee also criticised the development. “Gangsters and rapists are roaming free in the country and activists are being jailed. Mother of democracy!,” he wrote on X, demanding their release.

Lawyer expresses disappointment over order

Abhik Chimni, who is representing the two CJP convenors, said the defence was disappointed with the decision, particularly because the matter concerned preventive custody and the court had sought sureties.

“We are very disappointed. This is a matter of preventive custody and it is also a matter of fact that the Court itself said that they don't deem it necessary for the person to be sent to judicial custody. That is why they asked for the surety; once the sureties were given, they originally had a problem with it.”

Chimni said further issues were raised over the sureties and their verification, adding that the defence would consider its next course of action.

SEM cites alleged breach of bonds

In its two-page order, the SEM said Das and Ranka had “deliberately breached” their October 11 bonds. The order also referred to concerns over their conduct and alleged protests at de-notified areas.

The magistrate directed the two to submit written representations within two days, with advance copies to the investigating officer.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the custody extension and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the arrests. He said the two had remained defiant despite spending five days in jail.

The Jantar Mantar trespassing case against Das and Ranka has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch.