CJP leaders appear before Delhi court for surety verification; asked to return on November 3

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde appeared before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court at Delhi’s Mandir Marg police station on Friday (October 23, 2026), two days after Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka were released from Tihar jail following seven days in judicial custody.

The appearance was in compliance with the court’s earlier direction issued at the time of their release for the verification of sureties. They have been asked to reappear on November 3.

The development followed a day after Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka skipped questioning by the Delhi Police Crime Branch regarding two cases against them and requested additional time to join the investigation. The Crime Branch has yet to issue fresh notices to the two.

Speaking to the media after visiting the police station, Mr. Ranka said they were awaiting the Crime Branch’s response regarding a fresh date for questioning.

The investigation relates to two cases registered on October 13 at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations over allegations of trespassing into Jantar Mantar after it was denotified as a protest site, disobeying a government order, and obstructing police personnel on duty, among other charges.

The cases were transferred to the Crime Branch on Tuesday (October 20).

Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka were detained on October 13 and remanded to five days of judicial custody the following day. Their custody was extended by two more days on October 19. They were released on October 21 after the SEM court accepted their personal and surety bonds and recorded their written undertakings to maintain peace and abide by the law.

Further investigation into the cases is underway.