CJP Activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Released from Custody
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka of the Cockroach Janta Party are released from judicial custody following a Delhi High Court hearing.
The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Court has ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, activists associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The duo had been held in judicial custody following their arrest on October 13.
The Road to Release
The activists were initially remanded to judicial custody for five days, a period that was subsequently extended by another two days. This legal battle reached a turning point when the two activists approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the SEM court's decision to extend their detention until October 21.
During the proceedings at the High Court, the petitioners eventually decided to withdraw their plea. Upon the withdrawal, the High Court explicitly stated that it had not formed or expressed any opinion regarding the merits of the case.
A Light-Hearted Moment in Court
The legal proceedings were marked by an unusual and humorous exchange between the bench and the defense. While hearing the plea, Justice Subramonium Prasad inquired about the ages of the two activists.
Advocate Abhik Chimni, representing the petitioners, informed the court that Saurav Das is 27 years old and Ashutosh Ranka is 32. This prompted a curiosity from the judge regarding "Generation Z."
“Then you are not Gen Z. What is Gen Z?” the court asked.
After the court was informed that Generation Z generally refers to individuals born after 1997, Justice Prasad reiterated that the activists did not fall into that category.
Legal Questions and Representation
Beyond the light-hearted banter, Justice Subramonium Prasad raised a serious procedural question. He questioned why the petitioners had chosen to approach the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, suggesting that an alternative remedy of revision might have been available against the SEM court's order.
The legal teams involved in the matter included:
- For the Petitioners: Advocate Abhik Chimni.
- For the Delhi Police: Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and advocate Ashish Dixit.