CJP Activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka Released by SEM Court
CJP activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released from judicial custody after the SEM court accepted their surety bonds.
In a significant legal development, the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Court at Mandir Marg Police Station has ordered the release of CJP activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka from judicial custody. The order came on Wednesday after the court accepted the necessary surety bonds submitted on their behalf.
The Court's Decision
SEM Ritu Raj granted the release of the two activists following their production before the court after two days of judicial custody. The court specified that the release is contingent upon the condition that neither of the accused is currently in custody for any other separate case.
This decision follows a period of legal friction regarding the terms of their release. On Monday, the court had previously directed the activists to furnish fresh sureties before they could be let go.
A History of Custody and Skepticism
The journey to their release was not seamless. The SEM had earlier extended the judicial custody of Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka until October 19 for a duration of two days. Prior to this extension, the activists had already spent five days in judicial custody.
The court had initially expressed doubt regarding the activists' commitment to avoid future offenses. According to court observations, the statements made by the respondents claiming they would not repeat the offense did not "inspire confidence," particularly when weighed against the conduct and evidence presented by the Investigation Officer (IO).
The Legal Battle in Court
The proceedings saw a clash of arguments between the police and the defense:
- The Prosecution's Stand: The Investigation Officer, supported by Delhi Police Legal Consultant Prashant Prakash and Bhairo Das, had filed an application requesting a further five-day extension of the activists' judicial custody.
- The Defense's Argument: Advocate Abhik Chimni, appearing alongside Pushp Sharma for Saurav Das, pushed for an immediate release. The defense argued that there was no genuine apprehension of a repeat offense.
Key Defense Claims
The defense counsel highlighted specific points to prove that the activists were no longer a risk, stating that neither individual had made any calls to organize protests after October 10, 2026. It was further submitted that while both respondents had gone to Jantar Mantar, they had done so individually rather than as part of a coordinated effort to incite protest.
As part of the ongoing legal process, the court had also instructed the counsel for the accused to file their written submissions within a two-day window.