CEC row LIVE: CJP leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka withdraw plea against custody extension
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested and sent to five days' judicial custody on October 14 for breaching and entering the protest site, Jantar Mantar, which was denotified for protests. Their judicial custody was extended by two days on Monday.
As it was supposed to end today, the Delhi police have now transferred another case against Das and Ranka, which has now been transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
Key Updates
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Dhruv Rathee questions judiciary after Delhi HC tells CJP’s Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka ‘You are not Gen Z’
Dhruv Rathee questioned the state of the Indian judiciary after the Delhi High Court told CJP’s Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, “You are not Gen Z”. In a post, Rathee referred to the judge’s role in granting bail to former BJP leader Kuldeep Sengar in the Unnao rape case.
The judge who said this is the same judge who gave bail to BJP leader Kuldeep Sengar in Unnao Rape CaseThat’s all you need to know about the state of judiciary in India today.
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) October 21, 2026 -
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Kharge demands repeal of EC immunity law, removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday demanded the repeal of the 2023 law granting immunity to election commissioners, accusing the Narendra Modi government of undermining the EC’s independence and seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and a return to ballot papers.
Speaking to reporters, Kharge asked, "Are you above the Constitution?" and alleged that the government was shielding election commissioners from accountability.
-PTI
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'Like 1984 riots': Sirsa accuses Rahul Gandhi of spreading anarchy ahead of INDIA bloc rally
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to spread anarchy in the country, drawing a parallel with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, ahead of the INDIA bloc's planned rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1. He claimed that the Congress leader was seeking to destabilise the country for political gains. "Rahul Gandhi has adopted the same modus operandi as his father and grandmother. He is following the same path of harming the country," Sirsa said.
-PTI
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CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke mocks Delhi HC’s statement
CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke counters Delhi HC remark with ‘Gen Z’ post featuring PM Modi
The only person who qualifies as a GenZ https://t.co/L70BGBegEG
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 21, 2026 -
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You are not Gen Z’: Delhi HC’s light-hearted exchange during hearing of CJP leaders’ plea
The Delhi High Court had a light-hearted exchange during the hearing of a plea by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, when the court asked about their ages and remarked that they were not part of Generation Z.
During the hearing, Justice Subramonium Prasad asked advocate Abhik Chimni, appearing for the petitioners, about their ages. Chimni told the court that Saurav Das was 27 and Ashutosh Ranka was 32.
“Then you are not Gen Z. What is Gen Z?” the court asked.
After being informed that people born after 1997 are considered Gen Z, the court reiterated, “Then you are not Gen Z.” - ANI -
Delhi HC questions CJP leaders’ plea under Article 226, says remedy against custody order lies in revision
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned why Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had invoked its writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution to challenge the extension of their judicial custody, observing that their remedy lay in revision.
“Your second incident. You are a person who has actually broken a bond. Your remedy actually lies in revision,” the court observed while hearing the plea challenging the October 19 order of the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM).
The court asked advocate Abhik Chimni, appearing for the petitioners, why they had approached the High Court when the order could be challenged before the appropriate revisional forum. It noted that an appellate or revisional court could examine the facts, whereas writ proceedings primarily focus on the decision-making process.
The bench also questioned whether the authorities could insist on stricter surety conditions after an alleged second breach of a peace bond.- ANI -
Kharge demands repeal of EC immunity, return to ballot papers and immediate women's reservation
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the Union government of systematically undermining democratic institutions, manipulating the electoral machinery, and shielding election officials from accountability.
Speaking on multiple fronts, ranging from electoral reforms and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to the Chief Election Commissioner and the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, Kharge framed the opposition’s ongoing struggle as a fight to save the Constitution rather than a race for political power.
Kharge slammed Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which grants legal immunity to current and former Election Commissioners for official duties. Pointing out that even the President of India and the Chief Justice do not enjoy absolute immunity, he alleged the law was passed specifically to let the government execute errors through CEC Gyanesh Kumar without legal repercussions.- ANI -
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Abhijeet Dipke thanks Aditya Thackeray for support
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed his gratitude to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray for standing up for Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka against their arrest.
Thank you @AUThackeray sir for speaking out against the illegal arrest of Saurav and Ashu
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 21, 2026 -
Delhi HC to urgently hear pleas by CJP's Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Neha Bora
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to urgently hear Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka's plea against the extension of their judicial custody by a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM).
Justice Subramonium Prasad will also take up a separate petition by the All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora against a Delhi Police's October 17 notice asking her to execute a bond before a SEM for "keeping peace".
Das and Ranka have assailed the SEM's October 19 order remanding them to two days' judicial custody in the high court, which is shut this week due to Dussehra vacation.- PTI
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Delhi HC to hear the plea of CJP leaders
Delhi HC agrees to hear Wednesday CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka's plea against extension of their judicial custody.- PTI
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Rajasthan Congress chief Dotasra injured after slipping during protest at Jaipur police Commissionerate
High drama unfolded in Jaipur as senior Rajasthan Congress leaders staged a sit-in protest (dharna) at the Jaipur police Commissionerate office. A heavy police deployment remains in place around the commissionerate premises, with barricades erected to prevent unauthorised entry.
Amid the protest, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra injured his leg after slipping.-ANI -
Rajasthan Congress protests in Jaipur, demands Zero FIR over alleged assault on NSUI Leader
Rajasthan Congress leaders on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, demanding the registration of a Zero FIR over the alleged assault on NSUI National Secretary Ritu Barala by Delhi Police personnel during the protest in Delhi.
Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra questioned the police over the registration of an FIR in Delhi and demanded a copy of the case registered there.“If an FIR has been registered in Delhi regarding the assault on Ritu Barala, then provide us with a copy of that FIR. We will head back home immediately. The FIR registered by the Delhi Police, ostensibly to harass these youngsters, cannot possibly cover the incident involving the assault on Ritu; the complainant and the accused cannot be the same person; that is simply not possible. Therefore, I believe that every argument or justification they are offering in their defence is entirely false,” said Congress President Dotasra. - ANI
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Indian Youth Congress installs Ravan effigy with CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s face
As part of its continued protests over Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Monday installed a Ravan effigy bearing a cut-out of the CEC’s face in Delhi.
IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib said the organisation would continue its protests in different forms until Kumar resigned or was jailed.- ANI🔥 The Ravan of Vote Chori burnt in📍Kirari,Delhi today!🏹Youth Congress workers took the fight straight to Gyanesh Kumar’s effigy this Dussehra 👊Your game's done Gyanu! Turn Approver Now 🫵 https://t.co/RjaDktNuD7
— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) October 20, 2026 -
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Real 'disservice', says Annamalai on Delhi Police' crackdown on CJP
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has criticised the Delhi Police for its "real disservice" over the recent actions against CJP members, and defended the organisation's democratic right to raise critical questions.- PTI
Tiger Shroff firing case: Court remands three key accused in police custody till October 31
Investigators told the court they needed custody to recover the weapons used in the shooting and uncover the alleged conspiracy.
Jaipur to host NAPCON 2026 meet on lung health and air pollution
NAPCON 2026 in Jaipur from October 22–25 will bring over 2,000 respiratory experts together to discuss air pollution, COPD, asthma and advances in lung care.
Supreme Court of India stays CMRL bribery probe involving Pinarayi Vijayan
The one-week stay allows the former Keralam chief minister and two family members to approach a Kerala High Court division bench against an earlier order.