Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released from Tihar Jail after agreeing to certain conditions.
The two were ordered to be released after furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each and giving the undertaking before Special Executive Magistrate Ritu Raj, an ACP in Delhi Police. Das and Ranka were first produced before the special executive magistrate on Oct 14 in preventive proceedings initiated by Parliament Street police over apprehensions that their conduct could disturb public tranquillity. They were sent to five days of judicial custody, extended by two days on Oct 19. The duo challenged the Oct 19 order before HC, but withdrew the plea after the court advised them to await the outcome of the hearing scheduled before the magistrate.
The magistrate had rejected their earlier sureties, citing identification discrepancies and doubts about the sureties’ ability to ensure the activists’ presence.
The sureties will be verified before the next hearing on Oct 23.
The magistrate held that “further judicial custody does not appear to be necessary at this stage”, despite the investigating officer seeking a further three days of judicial custody, citing a continuing apprehension of a breach of peace. Prosecution led by counsel – Bhairav Dass and Prashant Prakash, argued that the duo’s statements to the court and the media were “contradictory”, and alleged that a CJP member’s media remarks while they were being taken to Tihar Jail on the previous hearing date undermined the “majesty of the SEM courts”. The magistrate held the risk of a breach of peace could be addressed through peace bonds and written assurances. The duo must appear at every hearing.