India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on October 21 after the court rejected Delhi Police’s request to extend their judicial custody by three more days.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on October 21 after a court rejected Delhi Police’s request to extend custody, releasing them on Rs 50,000 personal bonds and sureties following their October 13 arrest related to a Jantar Mantar protest.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke posted a clip from ShahRukh Khan’s film ‘Chak De India’ after the two were released from Tihar Jail.
The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court ordered their release after both leaders furnished personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each, presented sureties and submitted written assurances to maintain peace. They must follow the conditions imposed by the court and appear for every hearing in the case.
It must be noted that the two leaders were detained on October 13 in connection with a protest at Jantar Mantar. They were accused of entering the protest site without permission, crossing barricades and violating the conditions of previously executed peace bonds.
Why Were CJP Leaders Sent To Tihar Jail?
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested on October 13 due to their involvement in the protests at Jantar Mantar. The charges against the two leaders included trespassing in the protest zone without valid permission and violation of peace bond conditions.
The two leaders were remanded to judicial custody for five days at the SEM Court on October 14. The judicial custody period of two days was added later on October 19, and the duration was set to expire on October 21.
When the two leaders appeared before the court on Wednesday, an additional three days’ judicial custody was sought by Delhi Police. But the court denied their plea and released them after taking into consideration the surety and written assurances provided by them.
What Conditions Must The Two Leaders Follow?
The court imposed several conditions before ordering the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Both leaders furnished personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each and presented sureties.
A personal bond is a legal undertaking given to the court and does not necessarily require the amount to be deposited in cash.
They also gave written assurances that they would maintain peace, avoid disturbing public order and conduct any future protests within the constitutional framework.
Another condition relates specifically to Jantar Mantar. The two leaders assured the court that they would not call people to protest at the site until it is legally designated as a protest venue again.
They must also appear before the court on every date fixed for the hearing. Delhi Police has been directed to submit a report verifying their sureties at the next hearing.
CJP Leaders Had Approached Delhi High Court Before Release
Before the SEM court hearing, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka approached the Delhi High Court and challenged their detention.
The High Court asked them to await the proceedings before the SEM court and indicated that they could approach the appropriate legal forum if necessary. Following this, the two leaders withdrew their petitions.
Their release was subsequently ordered by the SEM court on October 21, after it rejected Delhi Police’s request to extend their judicial custody.
FIR Registered Over Alleged Threats To Magistrate
The matter also came into focus after allegations emerged that the magistrate hearing the case had received threats.
According to information provided by the reporter, Delhi Police registered an FIR against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged threats. The investigation into this matter is separate from the proceedings concerning the detention of the two CJP leaders.
Next Hearing On October 23 At 3 PM
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 23, 2026, at 3 pm. Delhi Police will be required to submit its report on the verification of the sureties at the hearing.
