CJP leaders remain in custody as SEM cites threats, release hearing delayed

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka remained in judicial custody on Sunday as proceedings for their release were delayed amid allegations of procedural obstruction, fresh police objections and threats to the special executive magistrate (SEM) handling the case.

CJP members spent nearly five hours waiting at Mandir Marg police station for a hearing on the release of the two convenors, who have been in judicial custody since October 14. However, the proceedings lasted barely eight to ten minutes, leaving their release unresolved for the fifth consecutive day.

According to CJP representatives, the SEM arrived at the police station between 1.30 pm and 2 pm, but the hearing began only around 5 pm. The party alleged that its members had repeatedly submitted surety bonds since October 15 and completed the required formalities, only for fresh objections to be raised at different stages.

Police cite plans for another protest

During the hearing, police alleged that CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Das and Ranka were planning another protest. Officers reportedly referred to Dipke's remarks at the airport on Sunday that the party would strategise its next course of action.

A CJP spokesperson, however, denied that any protest had been planned, adding that the party was not even posting about a possible demonstration on social media.

The proceedings took a further turn when police officer Mahesh Kumar Meena, who was acting as the SEM, reportedly cited threats and mental harassment. He said he had received threats over keeping Das and Ranka in judicial custody and expressed concern about the risks involved.

As the SEM was preparing to leave, the public prosecutor argued that the matter required investigation, according to those present. CJP members alleged that the prosecutor's appearance came after three days of proceedings concerning the duo's release.

Police subsequently confirmed that an FIR had been registered following the SEM's complaint about the threats.

CJP alleges repeated objections to surety bonds

CJP representatives accused officials of repeatedly delaying the release process despite the submission of surety documents. Ratna Singh, the party's head of legal affairs, alleged that the public prosecutor appeared only after three days, while the SEM arrived nearly five hours after the party members had begun waiting.

“They started blaming us for sending the threats. I mean... how’s that related to the case? They just orchestrated all this to delay the hearing. They didn’t hear anything. I’m sure they are trying to delay this further as there will be holiday on Monday as well,” Singh alleged.

Aafreen Nawaz, CJP's national secretary, said party members had been visiting Mandir Marg police station for four days in an attempt to secure the release of Das and Ranka. She alleged that officials had rejected surety submissions on different grounds, including objections to fixed deposits and the Delhi addresses of those standing surety.

“Despite getting bank stamps on FDs, they are not accepting it. They also rejected bond saying the person’s address is not from Delhi. Once, they said IO is stuck in traffic. The other time, SHO arrived late,” Nawaz said.

She further alleged that party volunteers had been picked up and threatened during the process.

Police deny deliberate delay, cite faulty documents

Dipke also accused the authorities of deliberately prolonging the detention of the two CJP convenors. In a post on X, he alleged that the authorities were resorting to delaying tactics because they had no legal grounds to keep Das and Ranka behind bars.

Delhi Police denied deliberately delaying the release, maintaining that officials were following the prescribed procedure and that the surety bonds submitted by the party were faulty.

“They have been filing faulty surety bonds and we can’t accept them. We have to follow procedure,” a senior police officer said.

Police also confirmed that the SEM had reported receiving threatening messages on Sunday evening. An FIR was registered in New Delhi district on his complaint under provisions relating to criminal intimidation and threats. According to a senior officer, the SEM expressed concern about continuing to discharge his duties while facing threats, prompting the police to register the case and begin an inquiry.

Why Das and Ranka were detained

Das and Ranka were detained on October 13 after allegedly scaling the locked gates of Jantar Mantar, which had been denotified as a designated protest site, along with other CJP members to unfurl the national flag. They were subsequently arrested.

In an order dated October 14, the SEM held that the two had breached a surety bond signed on October 11 to maintain peace. He remanded them to judicial custody for five days, noting that “no sound surety” had been produced at that stage. The matter was listed for further inquiry on October 19.

The proceedings on Sunday did not resolve the question of their release, leaving the two leaders in custody as the party continued to allege procedural delays and police maintained that the required formalities had not been properly fulfilled.