Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by Two Days

A Special Executive Magistrate court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party activists Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das by two days. The two leaders were originally detained by Delhi Police on 13 October for allegedly breaching a peace bond after entering Jantar Mantar and unfurling the national tricolour. While Delhi Police sought a five-day extension citing concerns over public order during the festival season, the magistrate granted custody till 21 October. The previous magistrate had recused himself from the proceedings after reporting death threats. Legal representatives for the activists questioned the extension, arguing that the duo was placed under preventive detention without an FIR and pointing out that sureties were repeatedly rejected on arbitrary grounds. The defence team confirmed plans to challenge the order before a higher court, terming the detention an attempt to suppress peaceful dissent.