The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), who also served as the assistant commissioner of police, said he had received threatening messages while hearing the bail petition of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Both CJP leaders had been in judicial custody since October 14, after entering Jantar Mantar, a site denotified as a protest location. The magistrate’s claim came after the bail hearing, scheduled for noon, was postponed until late afternoon. The CJP’s legal team argued that the delay was deliberate and that four sureties had been rejected on vague grounds. The claim of threats added a new layer to an already contentious case.
Ratna Singh, the CJP’s legal head, posted on X that she had been at the police station since 11 a.m., yet the SEM did not appear until 4:42 p.m. She called the delay an “absolute misuse of power” and urged the court to take swift action. The CJP’s lawyers requested that the number of the alleged threat sender be disclosed, demanding accountability. In a separate post, Singh warned that if the leaders were not released by Sunday, the party would seek legal recourse.
On Sunday, Delhi Police filed a non‑cognisable report against unidentified persons, a move that allows the police to investigate without a warrant. The report was lodged following the magistrate’s allegations, though details about the alleged threats remain scarce. Police officials have yet to comment on the nature or source of the messages.
The CJP has been marching against the Chief Election Commission’s reforms, claiming they undermine voters’ rights. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal — whom the party consulted last week — has cautioned that the delay could be politically motivated. Local activists say that the prolonged detention of Das and Ranka has fueled anger among supporters who fear the movement’s momentum is stalling.
The court is expected to decide on the bail petition next week, with witnesses and counsel set to present their arguments. Meanwhile, the families of Das and Ranka remain anxious, waiting for the outcome that could free their loved ones.