Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A court has extended the judicial custody of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka till October 21, citing concerns over a possible breach of peace and rejecting the sureties presented on their behalf.
In its order, the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), South-West District, said the two respondents had deliberately breached their bonds dated October 11, 2026, and immediately committed a breach of peace in the case.
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“Their conduct is not above board; rather, it shows no respect for law and their habitualness in calling protest at de-notified areas,” the order stated.
The court said the assurance given by Das and Ranka during arguments that they would not repeat the alleged offence did not inspire confidence, considering their conduct and the material placed on record by the investigating officer (IO).
The SEM said the IO’s application was supported by substantial material raising concerns about the likelihood of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
“Considering the imminent apprehension, past conduct of the respondent and the submissions advanced on both sides, I deem it fit that an opportunity be given to the respondents to file and place on record their submissions in writing within 2 days,” the order said.
The matter has been listed for further proceedings on October 21.
WHY THE COURT REJECTED THE SURETIES
The order also explains why Das and Ranka could not secure their release despite presenting fresh sureties.
The SEM said it conducted an inquiry into the suitability of both sureties after repeated requests from the respondents’ counsel and found them unfit.
In the case of one surety, the court noted an apparent mismatch between the photographs on the surety bond and the Aadhaar card. The person could not produce another valid identity document and gave what the court described as vague or unsatisfactory answers.
The other surety failed to provide basic details of Saurav Das, including his parentage and address, despite standing as his surety.
The court further observed that its inquiry showed neither surety had control over the respondents to ensure their production before the court, which it described as a primary purpose of furnishing surety.
With no other sureties available at the time, the court directed Das and Ranka to furnish fresh sureties.
WHAT THE LAWYERS TOLD THE COURT
According to the order, counsel for the respondents sought their immediate release and assured the court that they would not repeat the alleged offence.
Their lawyers also submitted that the two had not issued any call for a protest after October 10, 2026, and that both had individually gone to Jantar Mantar.
However, the court said these submissions did not inspire sufficient confidence in view of the material placed before it by the investigating officer.
JUDICIAL CUSTODY EXTENDED TILL OCTOBER 21
The SEM said preventive measures remained necessary in view of the apprehension of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.
The court remanded both respondents to judicial custody till October 21, while allowing them two days to submit their written arguments. The matter will be taken up again on that date.
The order records the court’s assessment of the material and allegations before it; it does not, by itself, establish criminal guilt.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
