A New Delhi magistrate has ordered an additional two-day detention for two prominent leaders of the youth-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), following their initial arrest five days ago. Ashutosh Ranka, 30, and Saurav Das, 27, were seen being transported in a police vehicle after the hearing, a sight that has drawn sharp criticism from their legal team. Ratna Singh, the head of the movement’s legal affairs, condemned the ongoing proceedings, labeling the state's actions as a blatant mockery of the justice system.

The tension stems from a broader confrontation between CJP activists and the government regarding the integrity of the nation's electoral process. The protesters are calling for the resignation of the chief election commissioner, alleging that voter rolls have been manipulated to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party—a claim the election commission has firmly denied. Meanwhile, authorities have tightened their grip on the capital, sealing off the historic Jantar Mantar protest site and justifying the arrests by citing the pair’s attempt to bypass barricades and their alleged use of social media to incite others toward unlawful public disturbances.