"Entire Nation Stands With You": Kejriwal Cheers CJP Activists' Release
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal supports CJP activists Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das following their release from judicial custody.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das following their release from judicial custody. In a supportive message shared on X, Kejriwal emphasized that the activists have the backing of the entire country in their endeavors.
"Heartiest congratulations to Ashutosh and Saurav on receiving bail. Keep up the good fight for the country just like this. The entire nation stands with you," Kejriwal wrote.
The Road to Release
The release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka was ordered by the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Court on Wednesday. The duo's legal struggle began on October 13, when they were first arrested. Following their arrest, they were placed in judicial custody for an initial period of five days, which was subsequently extended by another two days.
The situation evolved when the activists approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the SEM court's decision to extend their custody until October 21. However, during the proceedings, the petitioners eventually decided to withdraw their plea. The High Court explicitly stated that it had not formed any opinion on the merits of the case.
A Light-Hearted Moment in Court
While the legal proceedings were serious, the hearing before Justice Subramonium Prasad featured a surprisingly light-hearted exchange regarding the age of the activists. The court questioned their lawyer, Abhik Chimni, about the ages of the two men.
When Advocate Chimni informed the court that Saurav Das is 27 and Ashutosh Ranka is 32, Justice Prasad questioned whether they belonged to "Generation Z." Upon being told that Gen Z consists of individuals born after 1997, the judge remarked, "Then you are not Gen Z."
Legal Technicalities and Representation
Beyond the banter, Justice Subramonium Prasad raised a legal query regarding the petitioners' decision to file a plea under Article 226 of the Constitution. The court questioned why the activists chose this route when an alternative remedy of revision was available against the impugned order.
The legal battle saw representation from both sides, with Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and advocate Ashish Dixit appearing for the Delhi Police, while advocate Abhik Chimni represented the CJP activists.