- CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka today withdrew their plea in the DelhI HC against the extension of their judicial custody.
- The petition was mentioned for urgent hearing before the High Court.
- Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will be produced before the SEM court today.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday withdrew their plea against the extension of judicial custody after the Delhi High Court reprimanded them over the timing of the petition. The court asked why Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das approached the High Court when the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) is scheduled to hear the case at 2 PM today.
"When the matter is coming up today, why run here. Also, if it is a revisable order would it not be appropriate for you do withdraw this, see what happens at 2 PM [before SEM court] and then see what is available to you in law," the court said.
The ASG representing Delhi Police argued that both the CJP activists have been directed by the SEM court to furnish fresh sureties today. "You are at the forefront (of the protest). When you break barricade, there are chances that more people may follow. There might be persons who may not be under your control," the court noted.
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The court asked Saurav and Ashutosh's lawyer, Abhik Chimni, about the procedure that was followed after their bail bonds were submitted and later allegedly breached through the Jantar Mantar trespass case.
The court noted that the petitioners had submitted their bail bonds on October 11, the same day Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest site, before they were arrested again. It asked why the procedure laid down under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for breach of bail bonds was not followed.
Saurav, Ranka Moved Delhi HC on Tuesday
On Tuesday, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka moved the Delhi HC, challenging the magistrate's decision to extend their judicial custody in a case related to an alleged breach of peace bond. The CJP activists requested an urgent hearing. However, the matter was not listed then. Therefore, their legal team sought a hearing on Wednesday.
Both of them were earlier remanded to five days' judicial custody by Executive Magistrate Mahesh Kumar Meena, after they entered Jantar Mantar, breaching the prohibitory orders and unfurling the national flag.
The matter was listed for further proceedings on October 19. The same day, their judicial custody was extended by two days.