Why were Sourav and Ashutosh detained? On what grounds did the court order their release?
Sourav Das & Ashutosh Ranka case: Why were the CJP leaders sent to Tihar Jail, and why did the court order their release instead of extending their custody?
The events date back to 10 October 2026. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) had called for a protest titled ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Before the protest could take place, several people, including Ashutosh Ranka, Sourav Das and Abhijit Dipke, were detained at Delhi airport. The police initiated preventive action against them under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing the apprehension of a breach of peace. On 11 October, they were released after furnishing personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each and signing undertakings to maintain peace for one year.
However, on 13 October, they returned to Jantar Mantar to protest. At the time, Jantar Mantar had been de-notified as a designated protest site, meaning demonstrations were prohibited there. The police alleged that several protesters, including Ashutosh and Sourav, defied the restrictions by climbing over a gate or entering through a narrow passage. They allegedly hoisted the national flag and raised slogans inside the premises. The police described this as trespassing and a violation of their earlier undertakings to maintain peace. On 14 October, the two were arrested, produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) and sent to Tihar Jail in judicial custody for five days.
The police argued that the protesters did not respect the law, repeatedly called for demonstrations in prohibited areas and could disturb the peace again if released. On 19 October, their judicial custody was extended by another two days. The court observed that they had deliberately violated their bonds and that their conduct did not inspire confidence.
After spending seven days in custody, two leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have finally been released from jail. Following a week in custody, the two leaders received relief from a Delhi court on 21 October.
After the court ordered their release, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken from Mandir Marg police station. Responding to questions from journalists on their way out, Sourav Das said, “Truth has prevailed.”
The Delhi Special Executive Magistrate's court rejected the police's plea to extend their judicial custody by a further three days and ordered their release on 21 October. Their release was conditional on furnishing personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each, along with compliance with several other conditions.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 23 October. The two CJP leaders will be required to comply with all the conditions imposed by the court.
