SEM Court Orders Release of CJP Leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka

A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in Delhi has ordered the immediate release of CJP leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka from judicial custody. The leaders were taken into preventive custody for entering a non-notified area and protesting at Jantar Mantar in violation of peace bonds.

The two key leaders were earlier sent to five days of judicial custody on October 14. Police had registered a case against them after they allegedly crossed barricades during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 13.

Delhi Police sought to extend their custody by three more days citing potential law and order concerns. However, the SEM court rejected the police request and issued release orders subject to a surety of Rs 50,000 each. The fresh court order comes as a major relief to both leaders.

Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site in New Delhi, but strict peace bond rules apply regarding permitted zones. The court has adjourned the matter to October 23 to review the situation.