A Delhi court on Wednesday ordered the release of CJP co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, bringing an end to their days-long stay in judicial custody after their personal bonds and sureties were accepted.
The two activists had been lodged in judicial custody since October 14 in connection with allegations of violating peace bonds and entering Jantar Mantar after the site had reportedly been denotified for protests. Their custody had subsequently been extended before the court accepted their release conditions.
According to the court order, Das was directed to be released from Tihar Jail provided he was not required in any other case.
Earlier, the duo approached the Delhi High Court challenging the extension of their custody. However, they later withdrew their petition during the hearing. Justice Subramonium Prasad advised them to await the Magistrate’s decision and pursue available legal remedies under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The case stems from planned protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The two leaders were initially detained on October 10 and released after furnishing peace bonds. They were apprehended again on October 14 while attempting to hold a Tiranga protest at Jantar Mantar, leading to fresh legal action.
In their challenge before the High Court, the activists argued that the orders extending their detention did not adequately establish any immediate threat posed by them. They also contended that repeated rejection of their sureties was arbitrary.
The Magistrate’s order cited alleged breaches of peace bond conditions and concerns over discrepancies in surety-related documents. Following acceptance of the fresh sureties, the court cleared the way for their release.
The development marks the latest chapter in a legal dispute surrounding protest rights, preventive detention measures, and compliance with court-imposed bond conditions in the national capital.
