A day after securing their release from custody, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been summoned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for questioning in connection with the alleged violation of a government order and trespass. The police have also called CJP national organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde, signalling that the investigation into the group's attempt to reach Jantar Mantar remains ongoing.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been summoned to appear before the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Thursday in connection with an ongoing investigation into their alleged violation of a government order and trespassing. Ajinkya Shinde, the party's national organisation in-charge, has also been directed to join the investigation.
According to officials, the three have been asked to report to the Crime Branch office in Rajouri Garden. The summons were issued at around 8.30 pm on Wednesday, just hours after Das and Ranka walked out of Tihar Jail following an order by a special executive magistrate (SEM) declining to extend their judicial custody.
The police investigation centres on allegations that the CJP leaders violated a government order under Section 188 and entered property belonging to another party while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. The protest site had been de-notified, and the leaders were detained earlier this month during their attempt to enter the area.
Their release from custody has therefore not brought the matter to a close. The fresh summons indicate that the police inquiry will continue independently of the proceedings that led to their release.
The SEM ordered the release of Das and Ranka after taking note of their written undertaking to maintain peace and comply with the law. The two were also directed to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, valid until the conclusion of the inquiry.
Explaining the decision, the magistrate observed that continued judicial custody was not necessary at that stage, particularly in view of the written assurances submitted by the two leaders.
Das and Ranka had initially been remanded to five days of judicial custody, ending on October 19. Their custody was subsequently extended until October 21, prompting them to approach the Delhi High Court for relief.
However, the High Court questioned their decision to challenge the magistrate's order through a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, which provides for the High Court's writ jurisdiction. The court indicated that the appropriate remedy could lie in revision before the competent court.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Justice Subramonium Prasad also questioned the basis for approaching the High Court when an alternative legal remedy was available. The judge remarked that there was little apparent distinction between travelling two kilometres in one direction and two kilometres in another, referring to the choice of judicial forum.
The court further questioned the leaders over the circumstances surrounding their detention and observed that they did not belong to the Gen Z age group, an apparent reference to the way their actions and political positioning were being presented.
Following the court's observations, the two leaders withdrew their petition rather than pursue the challenge further in that proceeding. They subsequently secured their release through the SEM's order.
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