A New Delhi magistrate has officially ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, two prominent figures behind the youth-led "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP) movement. The pair had been held in custody since October 14 after being arrested for allegedly disturbing public peace and defying local laws. Their detention, which had initially been extended earlier this week, centered on their protest at Jantar Mantar, where they crossed security barriers to display the national flag in a zone that authorities have recently declared off-limits for public demonstrations.

The CJP movement has been at the center of growing political tension, as activists and various opposition groups continue to call for the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner. Protesters allege that the commission has unfairly manipulated voter rolls to bolster the standing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party—a claim the election body has firmly denied. As the capital remains under strict security, the release of Das and Ranka marks a significant turn in an ongoing standoff between demonstrators and the authorities regarding the rights to protest in designated areas.