Freed CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka clear surety check; next hearing on 17 November

A Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi ordered the release of Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on 21 October, as their judicial custody was due to expire. They had been remanded on 14 October over a 13 October protest at Jantar Mantar, which police say is no longer a designated protest site, and their custody was extended by two days on 19 October. Delhi Police had sought a further three-day extension.Sources:1Daily Jagran: Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Released From Jail Seven Days After Arrest In Jantar Mantar Trespassing Case, Daily Jagran, 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2ThePrint: CJP leaders Saurabh Das, Ashutosh Ranka skip crime branch questioning, seek more time, ThePrint, 22 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

Hours earlier the two withdrew a Delhi High Court petition against the custody extension after the court questioned why they had approached it before the magistrate's hearing. The magistrate, SEM Ritu Raj according to ThePrint, accepted personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each and written undertakings, including not to call protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified according to law, and said further custody "does not appear to be necessary at this stage".Sources:1Daily Jagran: Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Released From Jail Seven Days After Arrest In Jantar Mantar Trespassing Case, Daily Jagran, 21 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2ThePrint: CJP leaders Saurabh Das, Ashutosh Ranka skip crime branch questioning, seek more time, ThePrint, 22 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)3Free Press Journal: Delhi: CJP Leaders Skip Crime Branch Summons, Appear Before Special Executive Magistrate After Release From Judicial Custody, Free Press Journal, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

Das, Ranka and activist Ajinkya Shinde did not appear for Delhi Police Crime Branch questioning on 22 October and asked for more time; police said fresh notices would be issued. The Crime Branch inquiry concerns allegations that they trespassed at Jantar Mantar after it was denotified.Sources:2ThePrint: CJP leaders Saurabh Das, Ashutosh Ranka skip crime branch questioning, seek more time, ThePrint, 22 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)3Free Press Journal: Delhi: CJP Leaders Skip Crime Branch Summons, Appear Before Special Executive Magistrate After Release From Judicial Custody, Free Press Journal, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)

On 23 October both appeared before the magistrate at Mandir Marg, where their sureties were verified and the court asked them to confirm their current addresses. "Today, there was the verification process for our sureties. It all went well," Ranka said. The Tribune reported the next hearing is on 17 November; after the hearing Das said, "We are new, but we are effective, and people know this."Sources:3Free Press Journal: Delhi: CJP Leaders Skip Crime Branch Summons, Appear Before Special Executive Magistrate After Release From Judicial Custody, Free Press Journal, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)4The Tribune: Movement will continue: CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka after SEM court hearing, The Tribune, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)