The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has launched a sharp criticism of the judicial process following the decision to extend the custody of its prominent leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. On Monday, the party labelled the proceedings before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court as a “farce,” asserting that the authorities are employing preventive detention measures as a tool to stifle democratic dissent. The two leaders, who have been under custody for six days, were remanded by the court until October 21.
The controversy stems from an order issued by the SEM court, which directed Ranka and Das to submit written submissions within a two-day timeframe. Additionally, the court has mandated that both individuals must provide fresh sureties before any potential release. The next hearing for the case has been formally scheduled for 2 pm on October 21. In response to the development, the CJP’s legal head, Ratna Singh, alleged that the proceedings were marred by procedural irregularities and that the state had failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the claim that the leaders posed an immediate threat to public order.
According to the court’s official order, the decision to extend custody was based on the finding that Ranka and Das had breached peace bonds that were originally furnished on October 11, 2026. The magistrate held that the respondents had deliberately violated the undertakings they provided to the court previously. Furthermore, the court expressed significant concern regarding persistent calls for protests at areas that have been officially de-notified for public demonstrations, specifically citing Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place in New Delhi. The court noted that this conduct created a reasonable apprehension of further disturbances and a breach of public tranquillity.
The CJP has vehemently denied that the continued detention is necessary due to ongoing agitation. The organization claimed that no new protest calls were issued following the initial detention of Ranka and Das. By keeping the leaders in custody, the party argued, the authorities are attempting to systematically suppress opposition voices. The party maintained that since the detention was preventive in nature, there was no logical requirement for further interrogation of the two men.
Complications regarding the release of the leaders also emerged concerning the sureties provided to the court. The SEM court rejected the initial set of sureties, citing several discrepancies in the submitted identity documents. According to the court records, the proposed sureties were unable to provide basic information regarding the detained leaders. Other issues flagged by the court included a mismatch in the provided photographs and significant doubts regarding whether the sureties could effectively exercise control over the respondents as required by the bond conditions.
As the legal battle continues, the CJP has confirmed its intention to challenge the SEM court’s decision before higher judicial forums. The party is demanding the immediate release of both Ranka and Das, maintaining that their continued confinement lacks a sound legal basis. With the next court date set for October 21, the situation remains a focal point for the party's ongoing tensions with local authorities over the right to hold public demonstrations in the national capital.
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