Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have assured the court that they will not breach the peace or call for a protest at Jantar Mantar as long as the area remains de-notified under the law.
The undertaking was submitted before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), who ordered their release from judicial custody on Wednesday. Both leaders stated that they had full faith in the judiciary and all its institutions, including the SEM court.
Das and Ranka were released after spending seven days in custody. The next hearing has been scheduled for October 23, when they are required to appear before the SEM court along with their sureties. Delhi Police has also been asked to submit a verification report.
SEM court accepts sureties
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ritu Raj, acting as the SEM, passed the release order after accepting the sureties furnished by the two leaders. Their five-day custody had been extended by a further two days on October 19.
The Delhi High Court had heard a petition filed by Das and Ranka challenging the SEM court’s decision to extend their custody until October 21. The petition was withdrawn after the High Court declined to entertain it.
Arrest during protest over electoral roll revision
Das and Ranka were detained on October 13 and later sent to judicial custody over allegations that they breached security and entered Jantar Mantar during protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
While seeking a further extension of custody on October 19, Delhi Police maintained that releasing the two leaders could affect peace and tranquillity. The SEM court observed that their conduct indicated a lack of regard for the law and raised concerns about their possible impact on public order.
The court also referred to what it described as their habitual calls for protests in de-notified areas. It rejected the sureties submitted on their behalf, holding that they were not suitable.
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