CJP Leaders’ Bail Proceedings Delayed as Ratna Singh Accuses Delhi Police of Obstruction

New Delhi (Fikrokhabar News): The bail proceedings for Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka faced delays on Sunday after the concerned Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) did not arrive at the police station at the scheduled time, according to party representatives. Human rights activists and CJP members accused the Delhi Police of unnecessarily delaying the process.

Ratna Singh, a social activist and the party’s legal head, said she had been waiting at Mandir Marg Police Station since 11 am, where the hearing was scheduled for noon. According to her account, the officer responsible for carrying out the magistrate’s duties had not arrived even by 4.45 pm.

Singh also alleged that four proposed sureties were rejected without clear legal justification, further delaying the release of the two leaders. She claimed that people with existing FIRs linked to participation in democratic protests were being disqualified from standing as sureties by being treated as having criminal backgrounds.

Das and Ranka were remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14 following their alleged entry into the Jantar Mantar protest area, where they reportedly unfurled the national flag and raised slogans. Delhi Police have accused them of trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaching peace bond conditions and obstructing public servants. The police have said their action was based on concerns about repeated alleged violations and possible disruption of public order.

CJP representatives criticised the handling of the bail process, describing the delays as an infringement on democratic rights and constitutional freedoms. They argued that administrative procedures should not be used to prolong detention unnecessarily. The allegations against the police had not been met with a formal response at the time of the reports.

The party has been protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising concerns about the possible exclusion of eligible voters. CJP representatives said they had consulted senior advocate Kapil Sibal and warned that they could approach a higher court if they believed the detention and procedural delays were unlawful.

The episode has renewed debate over the use of preventive legal measures against protesters and the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the right to peaceful dissent.