NEW DELHI:
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after giving written undertakings to maintain peace and refrain from calling protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains officially denotified.
A Special Executive Magistrate court ordered their release after they furnished personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each. The order was passed by ACP Ritu Raj, acting as the Special Executive Magistrate, after police sought a three-day extension of their custody over concerns about a possible breach of peace.
The two leaders undertook not to disturb public order and said any future protest would remain within the constitutional framework. Their counsel also tendered an unconditional apology in court and assured that conduct considered disrespectful to the proceedings would not be repeated.
The magistrate held that the written undertakings and bonds were sufficient preventive measures and that further custody was not necessary at this stage. The inquiry will continue, and the leaders have been directed to appear at subsequent hearings and comply with the conditions imposed.
Das and Ranka had been detained following a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar and allegations that they violated peace-bond conditions. The next hearing has been scheduled for October 23 at 3 pm.
CJP legal head Ratna Singh welcomed their release, while Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal also expressed support for the two leaders.