CJP cites delay in release of leaders, four bails rejected

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das, national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka and other supporters inside a police bus after they were detained for entering Jantar Mantar despite heavy barricades and heavy security presence in New Delhi. Photo: Flyer via PTI.

The bail hearing for Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Rank was “delayed” on Sunday (October 18, 2026) as the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) did not arrive at the scheduled time, activist Ratna Singh said, alleging that four bails were denied on “unclear” grounds.

Mr. Das and Ms. Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on October 14 after they entered Jantar Mantar, which had been designated as a protest site, by crossing its locked gates. The CJP leaders claimed to have unfurled the national flag and raised slogans.

In a post on X, Mr Singh said she had been at the police station since 11am while the hearing was scheduled for noon. She said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (AKT/SEM) did not reach the Mandir Marg police station till 4.42 pm.

“This is really disturbing. So far they have rejected 4 bail bonds for unclear reasons. They have made people who have FIRs against them for being part of the protest, people with criminal antecedents (sic),” said Mr. Singh.

The police did not respond to the allegations.

In another post, Mr Singh said: “Unfurling the Indian national flag is not a crime and the boys should not remain in custody due to procedural delays.”

Questioning the functioning of the SEM courts in the state capital, Mr Singh said the higher courts had asked the authorities to follow the hierarchy, saying it was an “absolute abuse of power”.

In a post on X on Saturday (17 October 2026), the CJP said it had consulted senior advocate Kapil Sibal and warned of legal action if Mr Das and Mr Ranka were not released by Sunday (18 October 2026).

“If Ashu and Saurav are not released by tomorrow, we will take legal action against all those who deliberately ensured that they remain in illegal detention, especially when they have not committed or been charged with any crime,” the organization said.

“The deliberate use of delaying tactics to keep them behind bars cannot go unchallenged. Those responsible will be held accountable,” it added.

The department protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, claiming that the exercise threatened voters’ rights.

Published – 18 Oct 2026 19:23 IST