CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were freed from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after the Special Executive Magistrate, ACP Ritu Raj, directed their release following the payment of ₹50,000 surety bonds each. The order came after the pair signed written undertakings that they would not breach peace or call for protests at the denotified Jantar Mantar site.
The duo had been remanded in judicial custody on October 14 after police arrested them for allegedly entering the protest zone and violating peace bonds. Their custody was extended twice, first on October 19 and again on October 23, with the court set to lift it on Wednesday.
Police had sought a three‑day extension, citing concerns over their previous statements in the media and the possibility of a breach of peace. They argued that Das and Ranka had given contradictory remarks, but the court noted that the written reply submitted on Wednesday was inconsistent with earlier submissions.
The Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the judicial custody, telling the parties to await the SEM court's decision and to approach the appellate court if they felt aggrieved. It effectively left the matter in the hands of the lower court.
With the release, Das and Ranka can now travel, but they are bound by the bond conditions until the inquiry concludes. The court has also warned that any violation could lead to re‑arrest and further legal action.
The move comes amid growing pressure on law‑enforcement agencies to manage dissent during civic protests, and it is expected to influence how future protestors are treated under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita provisions.
The next development will be the court hearing on the inquiry’s findings, scheduled for the end of next month, where the leaders may face charges if they are found to have broken the bond conditions.