CJP Leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Released After Pledging Not to Call Jantar Mantar Protests

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from judicial custody on Wednesday, October 21, after giving written undertakings before a Special Executive Magistrate that they would not call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains de notified as a protest venue.

The leaders also undertook not to commit any breach of peace and stated that any future protest would be conducted within the framework of the Constitution. The written assurances were recorded by Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj during proceedings concerning their continued detention.

The Delhi Police had sought a further three day extension of their judicial custody, arguing that concerns over a possible breach of peace remained. However, after considering the written undertakings and the other submissions, the magistrate concluded that further custody was not necessary at this stage.

Das and Ranka were directed to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each until the conclusion of the inquiry. They must also appear before the magistrate on subsequent hearing dates and comply with the conditions of their undertakings.

Their release came after they spent seven days in custody following their detention over a protest at Jantar Mantar. The police had alleged that the CJP leaders entered the barricaded area and attempted to hold a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Earlier on Wednesday, the leaders withdrew their petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the extension of their custody. The High Court had questioned why they had approached it instead of pursuing alternative legal remedies and clarified that it had made no observations on the merits of their case.

The inquiry before the Special Executive Magistrate will continue, with the next hearing scheduled for October 23.