CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: A case linked to Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and student leader Neha Bora over a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and bonds furnished to maintain peace has reached the Delhi High Court. On October 21, 2026, the court is scheduled to hear a petition challenging the judicial custody of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with Neha Bora’s petition against a police notice. Key issues in the matter include the removal of Jantar Mantar from the list of protest sites, bonds for maintaining peace, and the alleged holding of a protest at a prohibited site.
According to media reports, during the hearing the court raised questions on why protesters went to Jantar Mantar when it had already been removed from the list of designated protest sites. Questions were also raised over the justification for protesting again after furnishing bonds to maintain peace. The focus of the court proceedings is the legal basis of the petitions challenging the related action and custody.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), were detained on October 13 during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Police allege that the two crossed a closed gate and entered a place that had not been notified as a protest site. Earlier, both had furnished bonds related to maintaining peace and good conduct. The Special Executive Magistrate sent the two to five days’ judicial custody on October 14. On October 19, the custody was extended by two more days. The two then challenged the order in the Delhi High Court. On their behalf, questions have been raised over the process of custody and the rejection of sureties.
All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora has also filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. In a police notice issued to her on October 17, she was asked to meet the condition of a personal bond of Rs 10,000 and one surety for maintaining peace. The notice was issued under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Under this provision, on the basis of an apprehension of breach of peace, the person concerned may be asked to furnish a bond for maintaining peace. Bora has challenged this notice.
Police say there was apprehension of a law-and-order situation being disturbed by protesting outside the designated site and by the alleged violation of earlier assurances. On the other hand, the protesters have questioned the legality of the custody and administrative action. The court has to consider the relevant orders, the police arguments and the petitioners’ submissions in the case. The court’s position and further action after the hearing will be significant. For now, until a final decision is delivered on the petitions challenging custody, the related allegations and arguments should be viewed in the context of the judicial process.
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