Magistrate orders release of CJP leaders after custody period ends

UPDATE - follow-up to SEM court reserves order on judicial custody of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka: A Special Executive Magistrate ordered the release of Cockroach Janta Party co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday after accepting their sureties during the proceedings. Assistant Commissioner of Police Ritu Raj, acting as the SEM, passed the release order after their previous custody period expired.

Background

The two leaders were initially detained and sent to judicial custody on October 13 for allegedly entering the denotified protest site of Jantar Mantar and violating peace bonds during protests against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Their custody was later extended by two more days on October 19 after Delhi Police claimed their release could disrupt public peace and tranquility.

Court Proceedings

Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to interfere with the judicial custody of Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka, asking them to wait for the SEM court outcome and approach an appellate court if their grievance continued. During the high court hearing, Justice Subramonium Prasad asked their counsel Abhik Chimni about their ages, noting that at ages 27 and 32 they did not qualify as Gen Z. The leaders eventually withdrew their plea challenging the custody extension after the high court declined to entertain it.

Context

A Special Executive Magistrate in Delhi often handles matters related to preventive detention, peace bonds, and the maintenance of public order under specific legal provisions. Such proceedings are separate from regular criminal trials and focus specifically on preventing anticipated breaches of the peace.