Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka will remain in judicial custody until October 21 after a Special Executive Magistrate rejected their sureties, citing an immediate risk of another breach of peace.
The SEM for South-West District said the two leaders had deliberately violated the bonds they furnished on October 11 and had subsequently committed another breach of peace.
The magistrate said their assurances that they would not repeat the alleged offence were not convincing.
“Their conduct is not above board; rather, it shows no respect for law and their habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas,” the order stated.
The magistrate added that the investigating officer’s application was supported by substantial material indicating a potential breach of peace and disruption of public tranquillity.
WHY THE SURETIES WERE REJECTED
Following repeated requests from the defence lawyers, the magistrate examined both proposed sureties and found them unsuitable.
One of the individuals could not explain an apparent discrepancy between the photographs on the surety bond and the Aadhaar card. The person also failed to produce another valid identity document and gave responses that the order described as vague or unsatisfactory.
The second individual, despite agreeing to stand as Das’s surety, was unable to provide basic information about him, including his parentage and address.
The magistrate said neither individual had demonstrated sufficient credibility or the ability to ensure that the leaders appeared before the SEM when required. The order noted that securing their appearance was one of the primary purposes of furnishing surety.
As no alternative sureties were available at the time, Das and Ranka were directed to submit fresh sureties and were remanded to judicial custody for another two days.
WHAT THE DEFENCE ARGUED
The leaders’ lawyers requested their immediate release and assured the magistrate that they would not repeat the alleged offence.
They argued that neither leader had called for a protest after October 10 and that both had visited Jantar Mantar independently.
However, the SEM said these submissions were not convincing in light of the leaders’ conduct and the material presented by the investigating officer. The magistrate concluded that preventive measures were still necessary.
“Considering the imminent apprehension, past conduct of the respondent and the submissions advanced on both sides, I deem it fit that an opportunity be given to the respondents to file and place on record their submissions in writing within 2 days,” the order stated.
