CJP Leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka withdraw plea challenging custody in Delhi High Court

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New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka withdrew the plea before the Delhi High Court last week against the extension of their judicial custody in the case over protests at Jantar Mantar.

This decision was taken after justice Subramonium Prasad asked the petitioners why they had taken the matter to the high court rather than taking another legal recourse on the order of the Special Executive Magistrate.

The petitioner challenged an October 19 order which had further remanded the duo to judicial custody for two days after their sureties were rejected.

Lawyer Abhik Chimni for the two said that their custody extension was legally defective and sought the reasons for declining the sureties.

The leaders had petitioned for the quashing of the order and they were to be immediately released on the grounds that their right to personal liberty had been breached.

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The judge suggested that the petitioners withdraw their plea, await the proceedings before the Special Executive Magistrate and then pursue the appropriate legal course if necessary.

The court was only discussing the maintainability of the petition and another remedy existed.

Das and Ranka were arrested after protests at Jantar Mantar site of protest being denotified by the government. The police claimed the pair had violated peace bonds by re-entering the city limits, while their lawyers argued their detention was unlawful.

The two were to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate after their custody period expired today. Their withdrawal of the application to the high court does not constitute a decision on the merits of their challenge.

Also Read: CJP leaders trespassing case transferred to Delhi Police Crime Branch

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