Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged the judiciary and executive to urgently review and release Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das from judicial custody, arguing that prolonged detention for hoisting the national flag should not be sustained.
In a post on X, Patnaik wrote: “Jai Hind. The judicial custody of #AshutoshRanka and #SauravDas must be urgently reviewed and they must be released immediately. Hoisting the National Flag, even in a prohibited area, should not warrant such prolonged detention. The judiciary and the executive must rise to the occasion to ensure that the youth of this country do not lose faith in the rule of law and constitutional rights.”
Ranka and Das were detained on October 13 after they and other CJP members allegedly trespassed into the Jantar Mantar area in central Delhi. Authorities had recently denotified the site as a designated protest location. Police said the group climbed over a locked gate of a private premises, entered the restricted zone, unfurled the Tricolour, and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The two leaders were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail. On October 19, a Special Executive Magistrate extended their custody by two more days, citing concerns over their alleged lack of respect for the law and continued intent to protest at the denotified site. They face charges related to trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of earlier peace bonds, and obstructing public servants.
CJP has described the action as an attempt to criminalise peaceful dissent and patriotism. Party members have maintained that the group only waved the national flag and raised patriotic slogans. On Tuesday, CJP approached the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing, including a possible night sitting, to challenge the continued detention. The High Court is currently closed for Dussehra observances.
The case has drawn attention to the balance between maintaining public order at a sensitive location near central Delhi and the exercise of fundamental rights, including the right to peaceful expression and display of the national flag. Police maintain that the protest violated existing restrictions and prior bonds requiring the individuals to maintain peace.
Patnaik’s intervention marks a notable political voice outside the immediate CJP circle weighing in on the matter. As of Tuesday evening, Ranka and Das remained in custody, with further proceedings scheduled before the magistrate.
