New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka walked out of Tihar Jail late on Wednesday after seven days in judicial custody. A special executive magistrate ordered their release after they gave a written undertaking not to call protests at Jantar Mantar.
The two were detained on October 13 for climbing over barricades at Jantar Mantar and unfurling the national flag. The CJP is demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter rolls.
The magistrate released them on personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each and said the inquiry against them would continue. "I will not commit any breach of peace," the two pledged, adding that they would not call protests at Jantar Mantar until it is re-notified as a protest site under law. The next hearing is on Friday.
A day after their release, the Delhi Police Crime Branch summoned both for questioning over two cases relating to unauthorised entry at Jantar Mantar, disobedience of a government order and obstructing police on duty. Another CJP member, Ajinkya Shinde, has also been asked to join.
Separately, INDIA bloc leaders will hold a video meeting on Thursday evening, chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, to chart the next phase of the "vote chori" protests, press their demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and review preparations for a Delhi rally planned for November 1. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha has called nationwide protests on October 23. Both had spent more than a week in custody.