A Delhi court ordered the immediate release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka from Tihar jail on Wednesday, ending their detention in the Jantar Mantar trespassing case. The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) made the decision after the Delhi Police sought a three-day extension of their jail custody. Both men were produced before the SEM, and their sureties were submitted during the proceedings.
The legal battle took a sharp turn earlier in the day when the Delhi High Court refused to interfere with their judicial custody. Justice Subramonium Prasad, leading a single-judge Bench, advised the activists' counsel to withdraw their petition and await the outcome of the SEM hearing. The judge noted that if the activists secured relief from the lower court, continuing with the High Court proceedings would serve no purpose.
Prasad’s remarks, however, went beyond procedural formalities. He questioned the counsel about the ages of his clients, noting that Das is 27 and Ranka is 31. "That means you are not Gen Z," the judge said, highlighting a shift in the protest movement. "The cause was students, but not now. People have remained the same, but the cause is changing." He emphasized that when there is an apprehension of peace and tranquility, questions about the identity and purpose of the association become critical.
The detention stemmed from allegations that Das and Ranka entered the denotified protest site of Jantar Mantar and violated peace bonds. They were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14. SEM Ritu Raj extended their custody by two days on October 19, citing concerns that their conduct raised the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
With the custody set to expire on Wednesday, the release marks a temporary reprieve for the CJP leaders. The Delhi Police had sought a further three-day extension, but the SEM’s order prioritized the submission of sureties. The next legal step will depend on whether the police file fresh charges or if the activists face further proceedings regarding the peace bond violation.