CJP Leaders Challenge Two-Day Custody Extension

Cockroach Janata Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have challenged a two-day extension of their judicial custody in the Delhi High Court, seeking an urgent hearing on October 20. The court’s response to the request and the outcome of the challenge had not been reported by Tuesday afternoon. CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh said the party had moved the High Court and requested an urgent night hearing. The appeal contests an October 19 order by a Special Executive Magistrate extending the leaders’ custody until October 21 and directing them to furnish fresh sureties. The petition was filed on October 20, according to reports citing the party. The leaders were detained on October 13 after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar by climbing over a locked gate. The site had been denotified as a designated protest area. They were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14, then held for two additional days under the magistrate’s October 19 order. In that order, the magistrate said material submitted by the investigating officer raised concerns about a possible further breach of peace. The order also cited alleged breaches of bonds the leaders had...