India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will remain in judicial custody until October 21 after a Special Executive Magistrate rejected their sureties, citing fears of another breach of peace.
In the order, the SEM for South-West District said the two had violated the bonds they furnished on October 11 and were involved in another breach of peace soon afterwards.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka remain in judicial custody until October 21 after a Special Executive Magistrate rejected their sureties due to concerns about potential breaches of peace and the lack of credibility from their guarantors.
The magistrate also said their promise not to repeat the alleged offence was not enough to ease these concerns.
“Their conduct is not above board; rather, it shows no respect for law and their habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas,” the order stated.
The SEM said the investigating officer had submitted substantial material suggesting that the leaders’ release could lead to another breach of peace and disturb public tranquillity.
The magistrate examined both sureties after the defence repeatedly requested that they be accepted to secure the leaders’ release. However, concerns were raised about the credibility of both individuals.
One surety could not explain the difference between the photograph on the surety bond and the one on the Aadhaar card. The person also failed to produce another valid identity document and gave answers the magistrate found vague or unsatisfactory.
The second surety was unable to provide basic details about Saurav Das, including his parentage and address, despite agreeing to stand as his guarantor.
The magistrate said neither person had established their credibility or shown that they could ensure the leaders appeared before the SEM whenever required. The order noted that securing their appearance was one of the main reasons for asking someone to stand as surety.
As no alternative sureties were available at the time, Das and Ranka were asked to furnish fresh ones. They were remanded to judicial custody for two more days, until October 21.
The lawyers representing the two leaders sought their immediate release, assuring the magistrate that they would not repeat the alleged offence.
They argued that neither Das nor Ranka had called for a protest after October 10. They also maintained that both had visited Jantar Mantar individually.
The magistrate, however, said these submissions were not convincing in light of the leaders’ conduct and the material presented by the investigating officer. The SEM held that preventive action was still necessary to avoid a possible disturbance.
“Considering the imminent apprehension, past conduct of the respondent and the submissions advanced on both sides, I deem it fit that an opportunity be given to the respondents to file and place on record their submissions in writing within 2 days,” the order said.
