Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were on Monday (October 19, 2026) sent to judicial remand for two more days after being produced before a newly appointed Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg police station in New Delhi, an official said.

Also read | CJP alleges delay in release of leaders, four sureties rejected

The development came amid allegations by the CJP that the bail proceedings in the case were deliberately delayed to prevent the release of its two co-convenors, who were initially sent to five-day judicial custody on October 13 after they defied restrictions to protest at Jantar Mantar.

The two were taken into custody after they allegedly climbed over a locked gate to enter Jantar Mantar, which had earlier been denotified as a designated protest site.

Along with other CJP workers, they displayed the national flag at the site and shouted slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar before being detained and placed under preventive arrest.

They were subsequently produced before a Special Executive Magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody.

On Monday (October 19, 2026), the police sought an extension of the two leaders’ judicial custody and the court sent them to jail for two more days, sources said.

They will now be produced on Wednesday (October 21), they said.

On Sunday (October 19), the Special Executive Magistrate, hearing their bail matter, had claimed that unknown persons were threatening him, following which the police registered a non-cognisable report.

In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had alleged, “The state is deliberately prolonging Ashu and Saurav’s illegal arrest by using every dirty trick in the book to delay court proceedings and prevent their release.

“They have no legal grounds to keep them behind bars, so they are resorting to delaying tactics to keep them there.”

The CJP also alleged that bail sureties for the release of its leaders had been rejected on “vague” grounds.

Six U.S. Democratic lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal and Ilhan Omar, have urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise with his Indian interlocutors the alleged excessive use of force during student protests in Delhi and other parts of India.

The congresspersons — Mr. Jayapal, Mr. Omar, Jim McGovern, Rashida Tlaib, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Jesus Garcia — accused the Indian Embassy in Washington and consulates in other American cities of deploying photographers for surveillance of protesters carrying out demonstrations in support of the Cockroach Janata Party.

Mr. Rubio is visiting India next week and meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mumbai.

“We write with concern regarding a pattern of repression, wrongful detention, and excessive use of force by security forces during student protests in Delhi and other localities across India,” the congresspersons said in a letter to Mr. Rubio on Friday (October 17, 2026).

In their letter,the lawmakers cited the CJP protests against then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the ongoing demonstrations seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as examples of alleged use of excessive forces against protesters.

Referring to the Special Intensive Revision, Mr. Jayapal voiced concern over the “purge” of 130 million voters from the draft electoral rolls in India, and extended support to the Cockroach Janata Party.

India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, had slammed Mr. Jayapal’s remarks and termed them “unacceptable interference in India’s internal affairs”.

“The free exercise of fundamental freedoms and the right to vote is core to the democratic identities of both the United States and India,” the lawmakers said.

“We ask that you use the occasion of your visit to raise these issues of great mutual concern to our two peoples,” they said.

Democratic leader and former White House adviser Ajay Jain Bhutoria slammed Mr. Jayapal for the letter to Mr. Rubio.

“India is the world’s largest democracy with its own courts, free press and 900M+ voters. Congress has no business lecturing New Delhi on its internal affairs and undermines a vital U.S.-India partnership. Focus on U.S. problems,” Mr. Bhutoria, who was the adviser to former President Joe Biden, said on X.

The U.S. lawmakers urged Mr. Rubio to press the Indian government to initiate thorough, transparent, and independent investigations of alleged human rights violations connected to the law enforcement response to protests.

They also wanted Mr. Rubio to encourage the release of any individuals detained in contravention of Indian and international law for peacefully exercising the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

The U.S. lawmakers also asked Mr. Rubio to thoroughly investigate reports that Indian diplomatic missions engaged in the surveillance and intimidation of protesters within the United States.

They urged the U.S. government to assess whether India has engaged in a consistent pattern of acts of intimidation or harassment directed against individuals in the United States and is thus ineligible for arms sales under the Arms Export Control Act.

NEW DELHI

Amid heavy security deployment across the New Delhi district, Delhi Police has launched a localised outreach campaign to prevent public assembly for the October 10 Jantar Mantar protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) along with Left and youth organisations seeking the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the special intensive revision (SIR) drive. The police has officially officially rejected permission for the protest.

Authorities are holding meetings with student paying guest owners, market associations, and Resident Welfare Associations to appeal to citizens not to join the agitation between October 7 and 10.

“A meeting was held with district police officials and local citizens highlighting the importance of maintaining law and order,” said Mohammad Shahid Gangohi, a social activist who attended the security briefing in Central Delhi’s Chandni Mahal area. “The police maintained that citizens should not participate in the protest as it would worsen the law and order situation in the New Delhi area. When we asserted that protesting is our fundamental right, they countered that there are constitutional limitations to that right.”

Mr. Gangohi, whose own family has been affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, with the names of six of his sons allegedly deleted from the electoral rolls, noted that shopkeepers have been requested to close their establishments early at 11:30 p.m. instead of midnight.

“We told the police that we will cooperate and advise citizens not to join the crowds,” Mr. Gangohi added. “However, we also stated that the high-handed tactics used by the police to forcibly shut shops last time must not be repeated. In July, police officers dropped a container of curd into a cauldron of boiling milk at a local sweet shop. We will not tolerate such actions this time.”

Condemning the restrictions, CJP leader Saurav Das stated that administrative pressure would not deter the demonstrators. “We have already informed the public that Delhi Police is planning to restrict the protest, but authorities fail to realise that the youth of this country are now awakened,” Mr. Das told The Hindu. “These intimidation tactics by Delhi Police will no longer work.”

To curb mobilisation, the police are holding targeted briefings across colleges, universities, and student-heavy paying guest (PG) accommodations.

A senior police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that authorities are actively tracking individuals who participated in the previous demonstration. “Orders have been issued to monitor and, if necessary, pre-emptively detain past agitators under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” the officer said.

Security agencies will deploy Facial Recognition System (FRS) technology to monitor over 2,800 individuals with criminal antecedents who were flagged during the July protests.

(With inputs from Suruchi Kumari)

More than 100 cadres of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) were arrested by Chennai police on Saturday (October 10, 2026) while attempting to take out a procession to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

The members had gathered to march to the Secretariat and lay siege to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu. Led by AIYF State secretary K. Bharathi and AISF State president K. Ibrahim, the protesters assembled near the Periyar statue on Anna Salai and proceeded along Sivananda Salai. The police stopped them and prevented them from moving further.

Anti-CEC Delhi protest LIVE updates: CJP urges youth to take charge of movement as leaders detained; protesters being taken away from Jantar Mantar, nearby areas

The protesters accused the CEC of orchestrating “vote theft” and called for criminal proceedings and other action against him. They also raised slogans demanding his removal and condemning the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for allegedly supporting those accused of stealing votes. “Our vote, our right!” and “Do not steal our right to vote!” were among the slogans raised by the protesters.

The police forcibly bundled the protesters into vehicles despite their resistance and heated arguments. They were detained at a community hall.

During the scuffle, Kavin, a protester from Mylapore, sustained a head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The protest was held in connection with the agitation called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and other Left organisations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

Over 30 CJP supporters detained

Meanwhile, more than 30 people protesting in solidarity with the CJP assembled at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, chanting slogans and calling for the CEC’s resignation. They opposed the SIR exercise and alleged that 13 crore voter names had been deleted nationwide.

Adyar Deputy Commissioner of Police Badri Narayanan spoke with the protesters, but the talks failed to resolve the situation. The police said the group had not secured permission to stage a demonstration at the beach.

When the protesters declined to leave, the police detained them. Arguments and scuffles broke out as officers tried to clear the area. Some protesters lay on the ground and continued chanting before being taken to the Urur Kuppam Corporation Community Hall.

Later, DMK leaders A. Raja, Ma. Subramanian, and Thamizhachi Thangapandian, along with the party supporters, reached the hall and sat in dharna, demanding the immediate release of protesters, following which they were let go.

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained in a joint operation by the Delhi and Gurugram police from a residential flat in Gurugram on Saturday morning (October 10, 2026), ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, according to sources in intelligence agencies.

Follow the updates of the Anti-CEC Delhi protest on October 10, 2026.

Mr. Rathee was staying with his parents at a flat in Central Park Vihar, Sector 56, Gurugram, when police personnel reached the residence. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location in Gurugram.

According to information available, Delhi Police personnel entered the residence at around 7.48 a.m. after his mother opened the door. Around 50 police personnel had reportedly gathered outside the residence late on Friday night (October 9).

Mr. Rathee had reportedly travelled to Delhi to participate in the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The planned protest comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital, with the police imposing restrictions on public movement and transport in anticipation of the gathering.

On Friday (October 9), Mr. Rathee posted a video on Instagram, filmed at Kartavya Path, in which he questioned the extensive security measures and transport restrictions introduced ahead of the planned protest. These reportedly included the proposed closure of metro stations, cancellation of trains and a temporary suspension of mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi.

The reported detention comes amid a wider police operation across the national capital.

Delhi Police expects around 7,000 protesters to arrive in the national capital on Saturday (October 10, 2026), with senior officers directing personnel to exercise maximum restraint and handle the situation professionally, an official said.

During a briefing ahead of the planned demonstration, police personnel were instructed not to react to any provocative acts by protesters and to maintain calm throughout the operation, they said.

Sources said Delhi Police has made it clear that no unauthorised gathering will be allowed. Personnel have been directed to detain those arriving to participate in the protest and shift them to designated detention centres.

Action may also be taken against individuals claiming to be independent journalists if they attempt to provoke police personnel or create a confrontation, depending on the circumstances, they said.

On the possibility of shifting the protesters to Ramlila Maidan, police clarified that no application seeking permission to hold a demonstration there has been received so far.

A formal application will have to be submitted before the authorities concerned to take a decision on the matter.

Senior officers have also directed police personnel to ensure that the entire force functions in a disciplined and professional manner. Senior police officers will remain present at the spot and take necessary decisions depending on the situation.

This comes in view of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Heavy police deployment has been made to maintain law and order condition in several parts of the national capital.

Certain Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Nizamuddin Railway stations in the national capital between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday (October 10, 2026) have been cancelled “in view of anticipated severe road traffic congestion” in the areas, the Ministry of Railways said.

Keep track | CEC row key updates – October 9, 2026

The letter sent to all Zonal Railways comes a day ahead of the planned protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party-led (CJP) in New Delhi demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

“All Mail/Express trains starting at source after 14:00 hours today, i.e. 9th Oct, 2026, which are reaching New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station on 10th Oct, 2026 from 04:00 hours to 14:00 hours be cancelled at source,” the letter reads.

The trains arriving from other States at Anand Vihar and Old Delhi will function as usual.

Rajdhani Express services from Howrah and Sealdah to New Delhi have also been cancelled, Eastern Railways announced.

Two Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express trains departing from Mumbai have been rescheduled, and an express service cancelled by the Western Railway. Here are the details of the cancelled/rescheduled on October 9-10.

Cancelled trains

1. Train No. 22181 – Jabalpur to Hazrat Nizamuddin
2. Train No. 12189 – Jabalpur to Hazrat Nizamuddin
3. Train No. 12121 – Jabalpur to Hazrat Nizamuddin
4. Train No. 12301 – Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express
5. Train No. 12313 – Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express
6. Train No. 12247 – Bandra Terminus-Nizamuddin Yuva Express
7. Train No. 20155 – Dr Ambedkar Nagar-New Delhi Express
8. Train No. 09309 – Indore-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express
9. Train No. 12415 – Indore-New Delhi Express
10. Train No. 12957 – Sabarmati-New Delhi Express
11. Train No. 20155 – Dadar to New Delhi
12. Train No. 12446 – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi
13. Train No. 04082 – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi
14. Train No. 22462 – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi
15. Train No. 12426 – Jammu Tawi-New Delhi Rajdhani Express
16. Train No. 20801 – Islampur-New Delhi Magadh Express
17. Train No. 12309 – Rajendra Nagar Terminal-New Delhi Tejas Raj Express
18. Train No. 12393 – Rajendra Nagar Terminal-New Delhi Sampoorna Kranti Express
19. Train No. 22361 – Rajendra Nagar Terminal-New Delhi Amrit Bharat
20. Train No. 12033 – Kanpur Central-New Delhi Statabdi Express
21. Train No. 12417 – Prayagraj Junction-New Delhi Prayagraj Express
22. Train No. 12275 – Prayagraj Junction-New Delhi Humsafar Express
23. Train No. 12415 – Kanpur Central-New Delhi Shamshakti Express
24. Train No. 12447 – Manikpur Junction-New Delhi Sampark Kranti Express
25. Train No. 14211 – Agra Cant. Junction-New Delhi Intercity
26. Train No. 12559 – Banaras to New Delhi
27. Train No. 12581 – Banaras to New Delhi
28. Train No. 82501 – Lucknow Junction to New Delhi
29. Train No. 15303 – Kasganj to New Delhi
30. Train No. 15303 – Lucknow Junction to New Delhi
31. Train No. 15308 – Sirsa to Tilak Bridge
32. Train No. 12964 – Udaipur City to Hazrat Nizamuddin
33. Train No. 12963 – Hazrat Nizamuddin to Udaipur City
34. Train No. 14727 – Tilak Bridge to Bhiwani Junction
35. Train No. 14737 – Bhiwani Junction to Tilak Bridge
36. Train No. 14728 – Tilak Bridge to Shri Ganganagar

Rescheduled trains

1. Train No. 12951 – MMCT–NDLS Tejas Rajdhani Express rescheduled to October 9 at 10 p.m.
2. Train No. 12953 – MMCT–NZM A K Tejas Rajdhani Express rescheduled to October 9 at 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Friday (October 9, 2026) denied permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar, a designated site for peaceful demonstrations, stating that conditions part of the undertaking during a past protest were not met.

The police have also requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to shut 57 metro stations from 9 p.m. on Friday (October 9, 2026) till Saturday (October 10, 2026), citing the likelihood of “unruly mob movement towards sensitive locations.”

In a letter on Thursday (October 8, 2026), Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) Rajneesh Gupta said the frequency of metro trains passing through the stations may also be reduced on October 10, depending on the situation.

With PTI inputs