Special Executive Magistrate sends CJP’s leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka to five-day judicial custody in trespassing case

The police filed a first information report after a protest organized by the CJP turned into a confrontation at a government building in Kolkata. Saurav Das, a senior coordinator of the group, and Ashutosh Ranka, a regional spokesperson, were identified as the main organizers. The FIR lists criminal trespass, breach of a court‑issued bond and refusal to obey a police directive as the primary charges, prompting the magistrate to intervene.

The Special Executive Magistrate, acting under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, placed both men in judicial custody for five days. Judicial custody means they will be held in a police lock‑up while the investigation proceeds, rather than being released on bail. The CJP has protested the decision, calling it an attempt to suppress dissent, while the police maintain that the law was applied fairly and that the custody order is standard for cases involving alleged violations of court orders.

Political analysts note that the incident reflects a growing tension between activist groups and law‑enforcement agencies in West Bengal. Similar arrests have occurred in recent months, often sparking debates about the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain public order. For readers across India, the case highlights how legal actions against political activists can influence the broader climate of civil liberties and governmental authority.