Politics · India · 43 mins ago
Bail hearing for CJP leaders delayed after magistrate cites threat to his life
A Delhi magistrate put off the bail hearing for Cockroach Janta Party functionaries Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on Sunday.
The magistrate did not arrive at the scheduled time and later recused himself, citing a threat to his life.
Das and Ranka had been held in judicial custody for five days from Oct.
14 after entering Jantar Mantar by breaching barricades; the site was no longer designated for protests.
Police registered a case alleging criminal intimidation and threats against a public servant, while police sources said the magistrate had been pressured to release the men.
CJP disputed the handling of the threat complaint and said four proposed sureties for bail had been rejected on vague grounds.
The hearing was postponed, and no new date was given.
The bail hearing for Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka was postponed on Sunday after the special executive magistrate recused himself, citing a threat to his life.
Delhi Police said the magistrate had received threats and that an FIR had been registered.
The CJP accused police of delaying the pair’s release and rejecting their surety bonds, while police said they were following due procedure.
Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14 after entering the de-notified protest site at Jantar Mantar.
- Who
- CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, and the special executive magistrate hearing their case.
- What
- Their bail hearing was postponed after the magistrate recused himself, citing threats to his life.
- When
- Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Where
- Mandir Marg, New Delhi; the case concerns the de-notified protest site at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The magistrate cited a threat to his life. Police said he had received threats; the CJP alleged police were delaying the leaders’ release.
Cockroach Janta Party
Delhi Police
Release and surety bonds
Cockroach Janta Party
The CJP said police were delaying the leaders’ release and rejecting surety bonds on shifting grounds.
Delhi Police
Police denied delaying the release and said due procedure was being followed.
Threats to the magistrate
Cockroach Janta Party
The CJP argued the alleged threat was a separate complaint and suggested examining call detail records to establish whether the magistrate’s number had been shared from a party member’s device.
Delhi Police
Police said the magistrate had received threats and registered an FIR.
Das and Ranka signed a surety bond to keep peace, according to the magistrate’s order.
Das and Ranka and other CJP members entered the de-notified Jantar Mantar site to unfurl the national flag and were detained.
Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody.
The bail hearing was delayed; the magistrate later recused himself, citing a threat to his life.
- CJP leaders
- Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka
- Custody order
- Five days, issued October 14
- Protest site
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Hearing
- Scheduled for noon on October 18; delayed until around 5.30pm, according to the CJP legal head
- Threat case
- Delhi Police registered an FIR alleging criminal intimidation and threatening a public servant
3 sources
What people are saying
Someone tried to influence him, and he (SEM) recused himself from the hearing today. How can he hear the case under such threatening circumstances?
We have been sitting like watchdogs at the Mandir Marg police station for four days now. We were told that they will be released once we give surety bonds. Since then, we have been submitting it but they are rejecting. Also, we have been given so many excuses.