New Delhi — The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court at Mandir Marg police station on Monday extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka till October 21, after they were produced following five days of judicial custody, ANI reported. SEM Ritu Raj directed their counsel to file written submissions within two days, with an advance copy to the investigating officer. The court said the respondents had deliberately breached their bonds dated October 11, 2026, and that their statement that they would not repeat the offence did not inspire confidence, citing material placed on record by the investigating officer and apprehension of breach of peace.

Delhi Police had sought more time — a five-day extension, according to Daily Jagran — while the court granted two days. Reuters reported the two were among 14 people who entered the Jantar Mantar observatory after it was removed from the list of designated protest sites, unfurled the Indian flag and demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists; a court had earlier sent them to prison for five days.

CJP legal head Ratna Singh called the extension "an absolute mockery of the judicial system" and said they would challenge the order in a higher court, Reuters reported. The Election Commission has denied favouring any party and said wrongly deleted voters can re-enrol; the BJP has accused rivals of trying to undermine democracy by questioning legitimate electoral processes.

Sources: ANI, Reuters, Daily Jagran, IANS.