The legal challenge filed against the judicial custody extension of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurabh Das has been officially withdrawn following guidance from the Delhi High Court. The leaders were initially detained in New Delhi while attempting to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. A special executive magistrate court had previously extended their judicial custody by two days, citing past defiance of law and potential threats to public peace.
The controversy began on October 10, when Delhi Police intercepted and detained CJP leaders Abhijit Deep, Ashutosh Ranka, and Saurabh Das at the Delhi airport after they allegedly called for unauthorized protests via social media. Police argued that such unpermitted gatherings near Jantar Mantar could severely disrupt public order and peace in the capital. Following their initial presentation before the magistrate, the leaders were granted conditional bail upon executing personal bonds and pledging to maintain public tranquility for a designated period.
According to police reports, however, the leaders resumed mobilization efforts immediately after securing their release. Sub-Inspector Mohit Bhatti informed the magistrate that Ranka and Das breached official boundaries and marched toward Jantar Mantar while chanting slogans. Consequently, the magistrate issued a strict remand order, highlighting the accused individuals' aggressive posture, lack of remorse, and repeated disregard for lawful authority, thereby dispatching them to judicial custody.
Challenging this magisterial order, the defense attorneys filed a petition before the Delhi High Court. During the proceedings, the High Court bench advised the counsels to pursue appropriate remedies through the sessions court rather than bypassing standard appellate mechanisms with a direct writ petition. Accepting this judicial counsel, the defense team chose to withdraw the application. The High Court, however, did not enter into the merits of the underlying case during this procedural withdrawal.
Legal observers note that this ongoing tussle highlights the complex dynamics surrounding unconventional political protests and law enforcement measures in the national capital. While CJP founder Abhijit Deep secured his release earlier, the broader legal challenges faced by his party colleagues underscore the strict regulatory framework governing public demonstrations in sensitive urban zones. Future developments will depend heavily on how the defense structures its appeals in the lower sessions courts.
