NEW DELHI – The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court, seeking immediate release of its leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, a day after the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court extended their custody by another two days.
“We have approached the Delhi High Court and sought an urgent night hearing. Saurav and Ashutosh must be released. Their liberty cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political vendetta,” the outfit said on X, adding that “justice delayed is justice denied.
The CJP duo were arrested on October 12 for allegedly jumping over a locked gate and waving tricolour at Jantar Mantar, a longstanding venue for public demonstrations in Delhi that was recently removed from designated protest sites in the city.
The CJP leaders were protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and had raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
They were sent to a five-day judicial custody, which was later extended to two more days by the SEM court, observing that their conduct “shows no respect for law” and reflects their “habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas”.
In its order, the SEM court said the investigating officer had placed substantial material on record, raising concerns over the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
It also recorded that the two leaders had allegedly breached the “peace bonds” furnished by them before the SEM, South-West District, on October 11 and subsequently committed a breach of peace in the present case.
Delhi Police had justified their continued custody, citing repeated violations of law and apprehensions that their release could lead to further violations and instigation of others.
The SEM court had also found the sureties furnished on behalf of the two leaders unfit following an inquiry, citing discrepancies in identity documents and their inability to provide basic details about the persons for whom they stood surety. It directed them to furnish fresh sureties.
ANN/The Statesman