A Special Executive Magistrate Court in Delhi today extended the judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two more days.The case involves alleged violation of earlier peace bonds executed by them by attempting to unfurl the national flag at Jantar Mantar in breach of prohibitory orders.The two were earlier remanded to five days of judicial custody by Executive...
A Special Executive Magistrate Court in Delhi today extended the judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two more days.
The case involves alleged violation of earlier peace bonds executed by them by attempting to unfurl the national flag at Jantar Mantar in breach of prohibitory orders.
The two were earlier remanded to five days of judicial custody by Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena on October 14. The matter was listed for further proceedings on October 19.
The two had earlier been apprehended at an airport on October 10 and subjected to preventive proceedings under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) ahead of the protests announced in Delhi against the Chief Election Commissioner. They were then let off on same day after requiring to furnish peace bonds of ₹50,000. However, they were apprehended again on October 14 after their attempt to stage the Tiranga protest at Jantar Mantar.
Details of the latest order
Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj, presiding over the New Delhi district court at Mandir Marg, passed the order on October 19 while hearing an application filed by the Delhi Police seeking a five-day extension of their judicial custody.
The police alleged that the two respondents had breached their bonds dated October 11, 2026, by calling upon the public to assemble at Jantar Mantar in connection with their protest demands. According to the investigating officer, the respondents had earlier been permitted to protest on the assurance that they would strictly comply with the conditions of permission but had allegedly failed to do so.
The police further submitted that both respondents were members of the CJP and had mobilised the public to assemble and stage protests at Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site. It was also alleged that they had repeatedly called for protests at non-designated sites, including Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place, through social media posts.
Opposing the extension of custody, counsel for the respondents argued that the two should be released immediately and would not repeat the alleged offence. It was also submitted that neither respondent had called for a protest after October 10, 2026. The defence further pointed out that CJAR co-founder and national co-convenor Abhishek Dipke, who had also been arrested in the case, had been released by the court.
After hearing the submissions, the Magistrate observed that the respondents had deliberately breached their bonds and immediately committed a breach of peace.
The court said the grounds of apprehension presented by the investigating officer raised concerns about the respondents' alleged habitual conduct of calling protests at de-notified areas. It added that their assurance before the court that they would not repeat the alleged conduct did not inspire confidence, in view of the material placed on record by the police.
The Magistrate held that the police application seeking further detention was supported by material raising serious concerns regarding the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, which required proper consideration.
However, granting the respondents an opportunity to present their case, the court directed them to file written submissions within two days, with an advance copy to the investigating officer.
The court also directed the respondents to furnish fresh sureties after finding that the sureties produced before it were unfit to stand as sureties. The order noted discrepancies between the photographs on the bond documents and the Aadhaar cards of the sureties, as well as their inability to provide satisfactory answers during the inquiry.
The Magistrate further observed that the sureties had no control over the respondents and had failed to produce them before the court when required.
The matter has been listed for further proceedings on October 21 at 2 PM. Until then, Das and Ranka will remain in judicial custody.