CJP Leaders Withdraw Delhi HC Custody Extension Plea

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have formally withdrawn their petition before the Delhi High Court that challenged the two-day extension of their judicial custody. The duo decided to step back from the high court proceedings to await the outcome of a concurrent hearing scheduled before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court.

Who are Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka?

Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are key activists and co-convenors of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a political and activist organization active in civic and public demonstrations. Both leaders have been prominent figures in recent protests organized in the national capital, advocating against various policy decisions and political actions.

What led to the Delhi High Court petition?

The legal tussle stems from preventive proceedings initiated against Das and Ranka by the Delhi Police under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The leaders were initially detained in mid-October following an political action at Jantar Mantar, a venue recently denotified as an official protest site. On October 19, an order passed by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) extended their judicial custody by two additional days, citing apprehensions regarding a breach of peace and public order. Aggrieved by the extension and arguing that their continued detention infringed upon their fundamental right to personal liberty, the CJP co-convenors moved the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent intervention and immediate release.

Why was the plea withdrawn from the High Court?

During the hearing at the Delhi High Court, the bench observed that the executive proceedings were already underway, with the Special Executive Magistrate slated to pass an order on the same day. The court questioned the necessity of parallel high court proceedings before the magistrate had finalized his decision, suggesting that the petitioners allow the lower administrative court to complete its process first. Accepting the bench's advice, counsel representing Das and Ranka elected to withdraw the writ petition while reserving the right to pursue fresh legal remedies depending on the magistrate’s ruling.

What are the next steps for the CJP co-convenors?

The primary focus now shifts to the Special Executive Magistrate court at Mandir Marg, New Delhi, where the official remand status and peace bond conditions are being reviewed. CJP legal representatives indicated that their future course of action—including filing fresh bail applications, challenging the magistrate's order, or re-approaching higher judicial forums—will depend entirely on the orders delivered by the SEM court during today's session.