SEM orders release of two CJP leaders in Jantar Mantar protest case

A special executive magistrate ordered the release of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after their judicial custody expired in connection with an October 14 protest at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi High Court had earlier declined to intervene

New Delhi: A special executive magistrate (SEM) on Wednesday ordered the release of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after their judicial custody expired in connection with a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 14.

The two were produced before the SEM, and their sureties were also submitted during the proceedings.

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Das and Ranka were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14 after being detained for allegedly entering the denotified protest site at Jantar Mantar and violating peace bonds.

Their custody was extended by two days on October 19 and was due to expire on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court refused to interfere with their judicial custody, asking them to await the SEM court’s decision and approach the appellate court if their grievance persisted.