The CJP has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing for the release of party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who remain in judicial custody following the rejection of their sureties by a Special Executive Magistrate.
The leaders have challenged the magistrate’s order extending their judicial custody until October 21, arguing that the decision was legally flawed and unsupported by sufficient material.
CJP legal head Ratna Singh said the party’s legal team had requested an urgent hearing during the court’s vacation and was awaiting a response from the High Court registry.
She demanded the immediate release of the two leaders, alleging that their continued detention was unjustified.
Why Were the CJP Leaders Detained?
Das and Ranka were detained on October 13 after allegedly climbing over a locked gate to enter Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The site had reportedly been denotified as an authorised protest venue a day earlier.
The CJP has been organising protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise threatens voters’ rights. The party has also opposed the removal of Jantar Mantar’s designated protest-site status.
Magistrate Cites Concerns Over Public Order
While extending their custody, the Special Executive Magistrate for South-West District cited concerns about a possible breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
The order stated that the two leaders had allegedly violated bonds furnished on October 11 and subsequently engaged in conduct that raised concerns about maintaining public order.
The magistrate also expressed doubts about the defence’s assurance that the alleged conduct would not be repeated, stating that preventive measures remained necessary in view of the investigating officer’s submissions.
Why Were the Sureties Rejected?
The magistrate examined two proposed sureties and found deficiencies in their documentation and credibility.
According to the order, one surety could not satisfactorily explain a discrepancy between the photograph on the surety bond and the Aadhaar card or provide another valid identity document.
The second person reportedly could not provide basic information about Das, including his parentage and address.
The magistrate concluded that neither individual had adequately established their credibility or ability to ensure the leaders’ appearance when required.
With no alternative sureties available, the two leaders were directed to furnish fresh sureties and were remanded to judicial custody for another two days.
Defence Seeks Immediate Release
During the proceedings, the defence sought the leaders’ release, arguing that neither had issued a protest call after October 10 and that they had gone to Jantar Mantar independently.
Their lawyers also assured the magistrate that the alleged conduct would not be repeated. However, the magistrate rejected the arguments, citing the leaders’ conduct and material submitted by the investigating officer.
The court allowed two days for written submissions and scheduled further proceedings for October 21.
The CJP’s latest move seeks urgent judicial intervention to challenge the custody order and secure the release of its two leaders.