After seven days in custody, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released after the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) accepted their surety and peace bonds, bringing
relief to the party but raising a key question—what next for the CJP movement now?
The release comes amid a continuing legal and political battle over the party’s protests in the national capital, with the future of its mobilisation now under focus. CJP has indicated that its leaders will regroup, reassess the recent developments and decide how to take the movement forward.
Peace Bond Bars Protest Calls At Jantar Mantar, Site Remains Denotified
As part of their undertakings before the SEM court, both Das and Ranka promised not to commit any breach of peace and expressed full faith in the judiciary, including the SEM court.
Crucially, the two leaders specifically undertook not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar for as long as the site remains denotified in accordance with the law. They also reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace, law and order, and public tranquillity. The leaders stated that any protest undertaken by them would remain within the constitutional framework.
The SEM directed both leaders to adhere to the terms of their peace bonds and the voluntary undertakings submitted before the court. They have also been directed to appear before the SEM on every date of hearing and ensure that there is no breach of peace or disturbance to public tranquillity in the area.
The court clarified that the inquiry into the matter would continue in accordance with the law. The investigating officer has been directed to submit a verification report regarding the sureties on the next date of hearing, with both the respondents and their sureties required to remain present.
What Next For CJP?
With Das and Ranka now out of custody, attention shifts to the CJP’s next course of action. The party has indicated that it will sit together, review the developments of the past week and strategise on how to proceed.
Whether the party announces another protest in Delhi, considers a different form of mobilisation or seeks to widen its campaign over the coming weekend remains to be seen.
The undertaking concerning Jantar Mantar is likely to be a key factor in determining the nature and location of any future protest. The leaders have specifically committed not to call for protests at the site while it remains denotified, while reiterating that any protest must remain within the constitutional framework.
For now, the release marks a significant moment for the CJP, but not the end of its legal battle. With the inquiry continuing and the next hearing scheduled for October 23, the party faces the challenge of deciding how to sustain its political movement while complying with the conditions imposed by the SEM court.
