Rs 50k bond, no Jantar Mantar protests: What are the conditions of CJP leaders’ release?

NEW DELHI: A special executive magistrate on Wednesday ordered the release of Cockroach Janata Party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, seven days after they were taken into custody.The CJP leaders were sent to five days of judicial custody on October 13 following a protest at Jantar Mantar seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the deletion of voters’ names.CJP leaders Das and Ranka, along with 12 party members, allegedly trespassed into Jantar Mantar, which is no longer a designated protest venue, and obstructed police personnel on duty.The release order came hours after the two withdrew their petition in the Delhi high court challenging the extension of their custody.What are the conditions of releaseThe SEM ordered the release of CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das after they gave written undertakings not to breach the peace and assured the court that they would not call for any protest at Jantar Mantar as long as it remains de-notified as a protest site, Live Law reported.The duo also assured the court that any protest they organise would be conducted within the four corners of the Constitution.In their undertakings, Ranka and Das expressed faith in the judiciary and its institutions, including the court of the special executive magistrate. The magistrate took the undertakings on record, Live Law reported.

After considering submissions from both sides and the written undertakings, the magistrate held that the immediate preventive measures under Section 135(3) of the BNSS could be secured by requiring the two leaders to execute bonds to maintain peace.Accordingly, Das and Ranka were directed to furnish personal bonds and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each until the conclusion of the inquiry.The magistrate also directed them to appear before the court on every date of hearing and maintain peace and public tranquillity in accordance with the terms of their bonds and undertakings.