Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have undertaken before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) in Delhi that they will not call for protests at Jantar Mantar for as long as the site remains denotified as a designated protest venue.
The two activists also assured the court that they would maintain peace, refrain from any activity that could disturb public tranquillity and abide by the Constitution. They further expressed faith in the judiciary and its institutions, including the SEM court.
Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, recorded the undertakings while directing their release from judicial custody in the preventive proceedings initiated against them.
The development came after the Delhi Police sought a further extension of their judicial custody, citing apprehensions of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity. The police also raised concerns over statements allegedly made by the activists after earlier court proceedings.
Their counsel tendered a verbal and unconditional apology after the police objected to remarks allegedly made in the media on October 19, contending that these undermined the authority of the SEM court. The activists also assured the court that such conduct would not recur.
Taking note of the written undertakings and the assurances furnished, the SEM held that the preventive measures contemplated under Section 135(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) could be adequately secured through the execution of bonds to maintain peace. The court observed that continued judicial custody was no longer necessary at this stage in view of the commitments made before it.
The magistrate accordingly ordered their release on personal and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each, pending completion of the inquiry. The activists are required to appear before the court on subsequent hearing dates and comply with the conditions of their bonds and undertakings. The investigating officer has also been directed to submit a report verifying the sureties.
Das and Ranka were detained by Delhi Police on October 13 after allegedly climbing the barricaded gates at Jantar Mantar. They were remanded to judicial custody on October 14 for five days, with their custody subsequently extended by two days on October 19.
In its earlier order extending their custody, the SEM court had expressed concerns about the possibility of a breach of peace, referring to their alleged attempts to organise protests at areas no longer designated for demonstrations.
The two activists had also approached the Delhi High Court challenging the October 19 order extending their custody. However, Justice Subramonium Prasad permitted them to withdraw the petition after observing that the SEM court was seized of the matter. The High Court indicated that they could pursue an appropriate remedy, including a revision petition, if they were dissatisfied with the relief granted by the magistrate.
The inquiry against Das and Ranka will continue in accordance with law. The matter is scheduled to be taken up again by the SEM court on October 23.
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