Delhi Court Order Release  of CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka

Bureau,Odishabarta

Delhi:Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released by a Delhi Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) on Wednesday, hours after withdrawing their petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the extension of their custody.

The two were detained after attempting to hold a Tiranga protest at Jantar Mantar on October 14 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Earlier, Justice Subramonium Prasad questioned why they had approached the High Court without exhausting alternative legal remedies. “Would it not be better for you to withdraw this, see what happens at 2 PM and then follow the course of law,” the judge said. The court allowed them to withdraw the petition without commenting on its merits.

Advocate Abhik Chimni, appearing for the leaders, challenged the SEM’s October 19 order extending their custody by two days, arguing that it did not adequately explain the immediate threat they posed. He also questioned the rejection of their sureties and sought their release on personal bonds.

The High Court noted that remedies under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were available.

Das and Ranka were first detained at an airport on October 10 ahead of planned protests and released the same day after furnishing peace bonds of Rs 50,000.

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