₹50,000 BONDS AND A BAN ON CALLING JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS: COURT SETS STRICT TERMS FOR CJP LEADERS’ RELEASE
October 21, 2026
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 21: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were ordered to be released from judicial custody on Wednesday after giving written undertakings to maintain peace and refrain from calling for protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains officially denotified as a designated protest venue.
A Special Executive Magistrate ordered the release after Delhi Police sought a further three-day extension of their custody. The magistrate concluded that the immediate preventive measures could be secured through personal bonds, surety bonds and written assurances rather than continued detention.
Under the conditions imposed by the court, both leaders must furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each, valid until the conclusion of the inquiry. They must also appear before the court on every scheduled hearing and comply with the requirements for maintaining peace and public tranquillity.
NO PROTEST CALLS AT JANTAR MANTAR
In their written undertakings, Das and Ranka promised not to breach the peace and specifically assured the court that they would not issue calls for protests at Jantar Mantar until its status as a denotified protest site changes in accordance with the law.
The two leaders also affirmed their faith in the judiciary and its institutions. They further undertook that any protest they organise would remain within the constitutional framework.
The magistrate accepted these assurances and directed the issuance of their release warrants to the superintendent of Tihar Jail after the required bonds and sureties were furnished.
SEVEN DAYS IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY
The CJP co-convenors had been in judicial custody since October 14, following their detention over a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 13. The demonstration was directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities associated with the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Police alleged that the protesters entered the area despite Jantar Mantar no longer being a designated protest site and that the two leaders had violated previously executed peace bonds. The allegations formed the basis of preventive proceedings against them.
Their custody was extended on October 19. On Wednesday, police sought another three days, but the magistrate ordered their release after considering the submissions from both sides and the written undertakings.
INQUIRY TO CONTINUE
The release does not conclude the proceedings against Das and Ranka. The inquiry will continue, and the leaders and their sureties have been directed to remain available for the next hearing, scheduled for October 23.
The order resolves the immediate question of their detention while imposing specific obligations concerning future demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The case continues to raise questions about the regulation of public protests, compliance with preventive orders and the boundaries within which political dissent can be exercised.
