New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will urgently hear pleas filed by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka challenging their judicial custody on Wednesday. The matter will be heard by Justice Subramonium Prasad, as the two leaders are scheduled to be produced before the Special Executive Magistrate at Mandir Marg around 2 pm following the expiry of their two-day judicial custody.
The case has drawn attention amid the party’s allegations that Delhi Police is deliberately creating obstacles to securing bail for the two leaders. However, details of their previous bail proceedings indicate that both attempts ran into difficulties over the acceptability and verification of the sureties presented on their behalf.
Why Are CJP Leaders Saurav Das And Ashutosh Ranka In Custody?
Das and Ranka were arrested on October 13 after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar under the Trespass Pass provision, according to the account of the case.
They were subsequently placed in judicial custody, prompting efforts to secure their release on bail. Their custody challenge is now set to come before the Delhi High Court, while their production before the Special Executive Magistrate is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
The outcome of the High Court hearing could determine the next course of proceedings in their challenge to continued custody.
Why Did The Two Earlier Bail Attempts Fail?
The earlier bail proceedings reportedly encountered problems with four proposed sureties presented on behalf of the CJP leaders.
During the first attempt, two individuals offered personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each. However, cases were found registered against both individuals in Uttam Nagar and other police stations. When the court questioned the lawyers representing Das and Ranka, they reportedly acknowledged the mistake and apologised.
The second attempt also failed after two different individuals were presented as sureties. Their Aadhaar cards reportedly did not match the photographs attached to the bonds, while the documents also lacked their mobile numbers.
These discrepancies raised questions about the documents submitted in support of the bail applications.
What Happened During The Magistrate’s Questioning Of The Sureties?
The magistrate questioned the two proposed sureties separately after asking others to leave the room.
According to the account of the proceedings, a woman and another surety identified as Teerath gave contradictory information during questioning. Although they claimed to have known Das and Ranka for four years, they reportedly could not provide basic details about the leaders, including information about their homes and fathers.
The two also reportedly told the magistrate that they had agreed to stand as sureties after pressure from the leaders.
The concerns raised during these proceedings contributed to the failure of the two bail attempts. The available account does not establish that the alleged pressure or other disputed circumstances have been independently proven.
CJP Alleges Deliberate Obstacles To Bail
The party has repeatedly alleged that Delhi Police is deliberately creating hurdles to prevent the leaders from securing bail. The reported problems with the proposed sureties, meanwhile, form a separate part of the record of the earlier proceedings.
The High Court’s urgent hearing on Wednesday will take place as the two leaders approach the end of their current two-day judicial custody period.
Further developments are expected after the court considers their pleas challenging custody.
