world · 2026-10-20
Delhi protest leaders' jail stay extended by 2 days
Photo: via The Hindu
Two protest leaders in Delhi will stay in jail two more days after a court extended their custody. Their arrest came after they protested without permission, and now they wait for bail.
What exactly happened on Monday to Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka?
On Monday, October 19, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate at Delhi's Mandir Marg police station, who extended their judicial custody by two more days. They will appear again on Wednesday, October 21. The CJP leaders remain in custody since their October 13 arrest for entering Jantar Mantar, which police had denotified as a protest site.
Is Jantar Mantar off-limits now?
Yes, since October 12, 2026, Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site, and Delhi Police have named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground as alternatives. The two leaders entered by scaling locked gates, leading to their arrest and judicial custody.
Why would the state keep two protest leaders in custody?
The police say they may repeat their alleged offences or encourage more protests if released, as they had earlier furnished bonds to keep the peace after a previous demonstration. Their party says the state is using delaying tactics to blunt their movement against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Who is a Special Executive Magistrate?
An Executive Magistrate is an officer of the executive branch, not a judge, with powers under the criminal procedure code. In metropolitan areas, the state can confer these powers on the Commissioner of Police. Courts have debated giving these quasi-judicial powers to police officers, citing conflicts with investigation duties.
Did they try to get bail?
Yes, since October 12, 2026, Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site, and Delhi Police have named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground (all in Delhi) as alternatives. The two leaders entered by scaling locked gates, leading to their arrest and judicial custody.
How does protesting at Jantar Mantar land you in jail for over a week?
Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a protest site on October 11, so gathering there became illegal. The two leaders climbed a locked gate to enter, unfurled the flag and raised slogans, and were arrested the next day. A Special Executive Magistrate, an executive officer rather than a judge, sent them to five days' judicial custody for trespass and related charges, later extended by two days. Their party says the legal process is being used to keep them locked up.
What does preventive arrest under BNSS Sections 126 and 170 mean?
Under India's BNSS criminal code, Section 170 lets police arrest without a warrant to stop a foreseeable crime. Section 126 lets an Executive Magistrate start proceedings if someone may breach peace, requiring a one-year peace undertaking. Here, police used them for preventive arrest against protest leaders they said kept disturbing public order.
What earlier bonds did the police cite?
Police said Das and Ranka had earlier furnished surety bonds of ₹50,000 each after an October 10 detention, promising to keep peace and good behaviour for a year. They allege the two broke those bond conditions on October 13, making them repeat offenders.
Is the person deciding custody a judge or a police officer?
Neither. A Special Executive Magistrate is an officer of the executive branch, not a judge. In this case, the role was filled by a police officer, which the protest party's lawyers are challenging in court as unconstitutional.
Why did the bail hearing not result in release?
The bail hearing was delayed and did not free them. The Special Executive Magistrate and public prosecutor arrived hours late, four sureties were rejected on 'vague' grounds, and the hearing was diverted to an alleged threat to the magistrate instead of the case's merits, leaving them in custody.
Source: thehindu.com