A Delhi court has extended the custody by two days of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka in connection with their alleged entry into Jantar Mantar, a site that has been de-notified as a designated protest venue.

The two leaders were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14 by Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Mahesh Kumar Meena at New Delhi, after they allegedly scaled the locked gates of Jantar Mantar and unfurled the national flag on October 13.

According to the police, the leaders had earlier executed bonds undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year. The authorities alleged that, despite the undertaking, they subsequently issued calls on social media to mobilise people at Jantar Mantar and attempted to organise another protest.

In his October 14 order, SEM Mahesh Kumar Meena noted that the leaders’ past and present conduct indicated a likelihood of breaching peace and tranquillity. The Magistrate initiated proceedings under Section 130 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and ordered their remand to judicial custody for five days, observing that adequate sureties had not been furnished at that stage.

The police had opposed their release, citing apprehensions of further protests and a possible disturbance of public order.

Advocate Abhik Chimni appeared for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.