Court Extends Custody of CJP Leaders Over Jantar Mantar Protest
A Delhi magistrate extended the judicial custody of two Cockroach Janta Party leaders for two days, rejecting their bail sureties and citing a habitual disregard for protest laws at de-notified sites like Jantar Mantar.
The Special Executive Magistrate court has extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two days, until October 21. The order, issued on Monday by Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj, followed a protest at Jantar Mantar against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a site that is no longer designated for demonstrations.
The initial five-day judicial custody period was set to end on October 19. Delhi Police had sought a further five days. The court granted a two-day extension after rejecting sureties submitted for the leaders' release and citing their repeated calls for protests at non-designated venues.
Court Cites History of Disregard for Law
In its order, the court observed that the conduct of Das and Ranka shows no respect for law and reflects their habitualness in calling protests at de-notified areas. The magistrate noted the leaders had flouted an undertaking given on October 11, indicating an apprehension they would commit further offences. Their subsequent assurances that they would not repeat the offence were found to lack confidence due to past conduct.
The application from the Investigating Officer was supported by material raising serious concerns about a likely breach of peace. The IO highlighted repeated social media calls by the respondents to mobilize protests at Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place, despite other designated venues being available. The two leaders were among 14 people detained on October 13 after allegedly entering the de-notified site through private premises and obstructing police.
Bail Sureties Rejected Over Documentation
The court rejected the bail sureties offered for Das and Ranka, who are lodged in Tihar Jail. The sureties were deemed unfit due to a mismatch of photographs in the bond and Aadhar card of the surety. The magistrate also cited the sureties' inability to provide basic details about the persons for whom they stood. The defence was directed to furnish fresh sureties.
The leaders had initially been granted police permission to protest based on an assurance to adhere to strict terms. The court found they failed to adhere to those terms. The defence counsel argued that the leaders had not made any protest calls after October 10 and assured the court they would not repeat the alleged offence. The SEM rejected this assurance as insufficient given the record.
Party Condemns Order as Political Farce
Ratna Singh, head of legal affairs for the CJP, condemned the proceeding. She termed the bail hearing a farce designed to crush democratic voices and the preventive detention a complete mockery of the legal process. The party alleged the order was politically motivated and vowed to challenge it immediately in higher courts.
Ratna Singh denied that any protest call was given by the movement for the leaders' release after their custody. She argued the authorities presented no evidence of a threat to public peace. "Our advocates spoke strictly on points of law, yet the authorities failed to present a single piece of evidence showing any threat to public peace," Singh said. She also criticized the court's delay, noting proceedings did not begin until around 5:30 pm on Monday despite a 2 pm listing.
The magistrate directed the respondents to place their submissions in writing within two days, with an advance copy to the investigating officer. Das and Ranka are to be produced before the court at 2 p.m. on October 21.
