The five-day judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka ends on Monday. Delhi Police had arrested the two youth organizers on October 14 outside the denotified Jantar Mantar monument. A Special Executive Magistrate remanded both functionaries to Tihar Jail for allegedly violating peace bonds.
Authorities had booked the pair for waving the Indian national flag inside the locked complex. According to legal developments reported by The Indian Express, Delhi Police plan to move an application seeking an extension of their detention. Investigators argue that the activists remain determined to lead unauthorized demonstrations. Therefore, prosecutors will request the magistrate to extend their judicial confinement to prevent fresh street protests.
Police Cite Public Order Concerns to Seek Longer Custody
Law enforcement agencies claim that releasing the student leaders could trigger severe law-and-order disruptions. Police intelligence dossiers warned that youth groups are coordinating surprise sit-ins outside sensitive central ministries.
Investigators highlighted that CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke has called for nationwide Tricolour rallies. As detailed by Hindustan Times, police believe the jailed leaders would immediately join planned gatherings. Furthermore, the capital remains under high security due to ongoing autumn festival crowds. Consequently, senior police officials maintain that keeping key organizers in custody prevents sudden traffic bottlenecks across central Delhi.
Weekend Bail Hearing Stalled Over Alleged Magistrate Threats
The custody deadline approached amidst intense courtroom drama over the weekend. The executive magistrate was scheduled to hear regular bail applications for both activists on Sunday.
However, the magistrate deferred the hearing abruptly, citing personal security threats. As reported by The Times of India, the magistrate reported receiving threatening phone calls demanding the leaders’ immediate release. Delhi Police promptly registered a separate criminal case to probe the alleged intimidation. In contrast, CJP spokespersons dismissed the allegations as an administrative excuse to delay lawful bail hearings. As a result, the two organizers remained in Tihar Jail without a completed bail decision.
Defense Team Prepares High Court Challenge Against Detention
The legal team representing the CJP strongly opposed any further extension of custody. Defense counsel Abhisht Hela argued that preventive detention provisions cannot justify indefinite imprisonment.
Lawyers emphasized that waving the national flag in a public area does not constitute a criminal offense. Meanwhile, the legal team prepared emergency habeas corpus filings before the Delhi High Court. On the other hand, civil liberties groups accused city authorities of misusing colonial-era preventive laws to crush political dissent. Moreover, opposition parties warned that extending the activists’ detention will only fuel wider youth resistance. The magistrate’s decision later today will determine whether the young campaigners walk free or face extended prison terms.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
