New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Wednesday sought a three-day extension in the judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka in connection with the alleged unauthorized entry into Jantar Mantar. After the expiry of their previous detention period, the two activists were brought to the Mandir Marg police station to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court.
CJP legal affairs chief Ratna Singh also arrived at the police station ahead of the hearing. The hearing was ongoing in the SEM court, and the magistrate had not yet issued a ruling on the police’s request for an extension in custody at the time of writing.
Permission granted to withdraw petition from Delhi High Court
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court granted permission to Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to withdraw their petition. In this petition, they sought release and challenged the SEM court order extending their detention.
A single bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad asked the lawyers representing the two activists to withdraw the petition and await the SEM court’s proceedings first. The court stated that if the two receive relief from the SEM court, there would be no purpose in continuing proceedings in the High Court. However, the High Court did not express any opinion on the merits of the case.
Fear of breach of peace cited
Earlier on Monday, SEM Rituraj extended the judicial custody of the two CJP leaders until October 21. The order stated that their conduct raised the fear of breach of peace and disruption of public order.
The magistrate’s court recorded in its order that the two leaders had allegedly violated the bond they had given before the SEM of the South-West District on October 11. Following this, charges of breach of peace were also invoked in the current case.
The court also noted the evidence presented by the investigating officer, which raised the possibility of a breach of peace and disruption of public tranquility. Furthermore, the two were directed to furnish new sureties after the previously granted sureties were found unsuitable after verification.
Activists detained during protest against SIR
CJP member Ajinkya Shinde, along with Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were among 14 people detained on October 13. They are alleged to have entered Jantar Mantar through a private premises and obstructed police officers from performing their official duties.
CJP members were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. They also raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police had previously opposed their release. The police said the accused had allegedly repeatedly violated the law and their release was likely to lead to such acts happening again and incite others.