UPDATED: Oct 21, 2026 12:58 IST
The Delhi High Court is set to hear a petition challenging the continued judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka in Tihar Jail. The duo challenged the 19th October order after a magistrate extended their detention till 21st October and rejected their sureties. Investigators and police maintain that the leaders deliberately breached their signed peace bond, which barred them from participating in illegal protests for a year. Authorities alleged that the leaders trespassed into the de-notified protest site at Jantar Mantar, breached police barricades, and obstructed public servants from carrying out their duties. Meanwhile, the petitioners argue that they possess a democratic right to hold peaceful protests, questioning their detention. While party founder Abhijit Dipke called Das and Ranka the real decision-makers and announced a halt on protests until Diwali, opposition voices accused the administration of arbitrarily arresting student leaders and suppressing dissent.
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