Delhi Court Orders Release Of Cockroach Janata Party Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka

Release After Undertakings

A special executive magistrate court in Delhi ordered the release of Cockroach Janata Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after they reportedly submitted written undertakings assuring they would not call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is de-notified in accordance with the law. Das and Ranka’s undertakings stated, “We reiterate our undertaking and commitment towards peace, law and order, public tranquillity and further we specifically state that we will not make any calls for protest at Jantar Mantar till such a time that it is de-notified in accordance with law,” their undertakings stated, according to IANS. SEM Ritu Raj directed their release after they furnished personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each until the conclusion of the inquiry in connection with the Jantar Mantar trespassing case.

Undertakings given4 of 9 outlets reported it · not in BBC and 4 more▾

The SEM court observed that “Hence, further judicial custody does not appear to be necessary at this stage, particularly after written undertakings before this Court,” and ordered the inquiry to continue in accordance with law. The two were later released from Tihar Jail where they had been lodged for the past seven days.

Reporting for this sectionAsia News Network

Summons After Jail

Delhi Police Crime Branch summoned Das and Ranka for questioning hours after they walked out of Tihar jail following a court order.

The Crime Branch issued notices asking them to appear for questioning at the Rajouri Garden office by noon on Thursday, and the investigation pertained to allegations of trespassing at Jantar Mantar after it was denotified as a protest site.

The summons came a day after Delhi Police transferred two cases against the CJP leaders to the Crime Branch, citing the sensitive nature of the cases and the need for an impartial investigation.

Das told reporters from a police van, “Truth alone triumphs. Long live the revolution.”

The BBC also described the release as coming after a magistrate ordered their release, with Das and Ranka having been detained after they crossed barricades and climbed over the locked gate at Jantar Mantar.

Reporting for this sectionSaudi GazetteBBC

Peace Bond Conditions

Das and Ranka vowed in court that they would not call for any demonstration at Jantar Mantar as it has been denotified as a protest site. In identical words recorded in the court order, Das and Ranka undertook, “That we reiterate our undertaking and commitment towards peace, law and order, public tranquillity and further we specifically state that we will not make any calls for protest at Jantar Mantar till such a time that it is de-notified in accordance with law,” and they added that any protest undertaken would be within the four corners of the Constitution. The magistrate ordered their release after directing Das and Ranka to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, and the inquiry was set to continue with the next hearing on Friday.

The Delhi Police sought three more days of judicial custody, arguing that the risk of a breach of peace persisted and citing alleged contradictory statements before the court, in the media, and in their written reply. The court directed the investigating officer to submit a verification report on the sureties at the next hearing, and it directed the two leaders to appear on every date of hearing and strictly comply with the conditions of their bonds and voluntary undertakings.

Sureties verification ordered3 of 9 outlets reported it · not in BBC and 5 more▾

Reporting for this sectionNDTV