A special executive magistrate in New Delhi has ordered the immediate release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, bringing an end to a seven-day legal battle and detention saga. The leaders, who serve as the chief spokesperson and national spokesperson for the party, were taken into custody following a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
The arrests took place on October 13 when the CJP leaders allegedly breached security protocols during a protest rally organized to oppose India's special intensive revision (SIR) program for voter rolls. Following their detention, New Delhi police sought multiple extensions of their judicial custody, arguing that their immediate release could potentially disrupt public peace and order in the national capital.
During the latest court proceedings on Wednesday, the special executive magistrate, functioning through Assistant Commissioner of Police Ritu Raj, reviewed the bail sureties and subsequently ordered their release. The decision came despite the police pushing for an additional three-day extension of their custody. Upon receiving the release order, Sourav Das expressed relief and triumph, stating that truth had ultimately prevailed.
The case has drawn significant attention amid ongoing debates surrounding political protests and security regulations at designated demonstration sites in the Indian capital. With the formal completion of release procedures at the Mandir Marg police station, the CJP leaders are set to resume their normal political activities, although the broader political discourse surrounding the voter list revision protests continues.
