Saurav Das Court Hearing : The legal troubles of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde appear to be continuing even after their release from jail. The three leaders are scheduled to appear before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in Delhi on Friday. A previous court order had set the appearance time for 3 pm. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Crime Branch also wants to question them in connection with two cases linked to a protest at Jantar Mantar. The Crime Branch had summoned all three for questioning on Thursday, but they did not appear. Police have now asked them to attend questioning between 10 am and 4 pm.

Released from Tihar Jail on October 21
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on October 21, 2026. Following their release, the Delhi Police Crime Branch issued notices asking them to appear for questioning at its Rajouri Garden office on October 22. Ajinkya Shinde, the third CJP leader, was also asked to join the investigation. However, none of the three appeared for questioning on Thursday. Police now want to question them about cases connected with the Jantar Mantar protest. The investigation includes allegations involving entry into the protest site and obstruction of police personnel in the discharge of their duties.

Leaders Were Taken Into Custody on October 13
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into custody on October 13 after allegedly climbing onto the entrance of a protest site surrounded by barricades. The following day, October 14, they were remanded to judicial custody for five days. On October 19, their judicial custody was extended by another two days. During this period, police cited law-and-order concerns while seeking an extension. However, on October 21, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ritu Raj, acting in her capacity as a Special Executive Magistrate, ordered their release after accepting the bail conditions and sureties.

Two Cases Linked to the Jantar Mantar Protest
The Delhi Police has described the two cases involving CJP leaders as sensitive and transferred the investigation to the Crime Branch. Both FIRs were registered on October 13 at the Connaught Place and Parliament Street police stations. According to the allegations, 14 CJP members entered the protest site through a private premises and obstructed police personnel stationed there from carrying out their duties. Police are investigating these allegations. The three leaders have been summoned for questioning in connection with the cases, with investigators seeking to establish the sequence of events and gather information about the alleged offences.

FIRs Include Multiple Legal Charges
The FIR registered at the Connaught Place police station invokes Sections 223(a), 332 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These provisions relate to allegations including disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, house-trespass with the intent to commit an offence and criminal conspiracy. The FIR registered at the Parliament Street police station includes allegations of obstructing government work, causing hurt and assaulting or using criminal force against a public servant to prevent the discharge of official duties. It also includes a provision relating to acts committed with common intention. These are allegations recorded in the FIRs, and the police investigation is focused on the cases.

Bond to Maintain Peace Also Part of the Case
The issue of bonds for maintaining peace is also connected to the matter. Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were earlier remanded to judicial custody in connection with the alleged violation of a bond requiring them to maintain peace. Ajinkya Shinde, meanwhile, was released after signing a peace bond. All three leaders are now due to appear before the SEM court, while the Crime Branch is also seeking to question them. Friday’s court appearance and the next steps in the investigation are therefore significant developments. For now, the case centres on the Jantar Mantar protest, the registered FIRs and allegations relating to the peace bonds.