HighLights
  1. CJP leaders released after seven days in custody.
  2. Undertook not to protest at denotified Jantar Mantar.
  3. Legal proceedings against them continue; next hearing Oct 23.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka walked out of Tihar Jail on Wednesday after a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court ordered their release following seven days in judicial custody. The two leaders had submitted written undertakings promising not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains denotified in accordance with the law.

The court directed Das and Ranka to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each. The inquiry against them will continue, with the next hearing scheduled for October 23.

ALSO READ: Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das Released From Jail Seven Days After Arrest In Jantar Mantar Trespassing Case

What Did The CJP Leaders Promise In Their Undertaking?

In their written undertakings, Das and Ranka assured the court that they would maintain peace and abide by the law.

The undertaking stated, "I undertake and promise not to commit any breach of peace. Further, it is also expressed that I have full faith in the judiciary and all its instruments, including the learned SEM Court."

They further stated, "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."

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The leaders also promised that any protest they undertake in the future would remain within the constitutional framework.

What Did CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Say After Their Release?

Reacting to the release of Das and Ranka, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke praised the two leaders in a post on X, describing them as bigger leaders than himself and expressing his willingness to follow their directions.

"Saurav and Ashu are not just better but much, much bigger leaders than me. Happy to follow your orders, my leaders. Jaan hazir hai! Lekin iske baad mere bina garden me koi akela nahi ghumega!!!" Dipke wrote.

Meanwhile, Das said, "Truth has triumphed," as the two leaders left following the court proceedings.

Why Were Saurav Das And Ashutosh Ranka Detained?

The two leaders had been in judicial custody since October 14, following a protest at Jantar Mantar the previous day. On October 13, they climbed over the site's locked gates and waved the national flag to protest against its denotification as an officially designated venue for demonstrations.

The action came after Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar would no longer be a designated protest site. The CJP had earlier demanded that the police allot a date for a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

The prosecution alleged that the October 13 incident violated a peace bond that Das and Ranka had signed after being detained on October 10. The earlier bond required them to maintain peace and good behaviour for a year.

ALSO READ: What Is An SEM Court? Why CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka Were Produced Before It Instead Of Regular Court

The two were initially sent to judicial custody for five days on October 14. Their custody was subsequently extended by two days on October 19. Delhi Police sought a further extension before the SEM ordered their release on Wednesday.

The CJP continues to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and unilateral functioning by the Election Commission. Opposition parties, including those led by Rahul Gandhi, have also raised concerns over the voter-list revision exercise.


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