Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released from Tihar Jail after agreeing not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar while the site remains denotified. The two furnished personal bonds and surety bonds of ₹50,000 each and submitted written undertakings before a special executive magistrate court on Wednesday.

The court ordered their release after concluding that the assurances and bonds were sufficient to address concerns over a possible breach of peace. Their release came despite Delhi Police seeking a further three days of judicial custody, citing concerns over law and order.

What are the conditions for their release?

In separate written undertakings, Das and Ranka promised not to breach the peace and specifically agreed not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified in accordance with the law.

They also affirmed their faith in the judiciary and its institutions, including the special executive magistrate court, and undertook to ensure that any protests they organise remain within the constitutional framework.

The court directed both leaders to comply with the conditions of their bonds and undertakings, appear at every hearing and ensure that public tranquillity is not disturbed. Their sureties must also appear at the next hearing, while the investigating officer has been asked to submit a verification report on the sureties.

Why did Delhi Police oppose their release?

Delhi Police sought an extension of the leaders' judicial custody, arguing that the risk of a breach of peace persisted because of their previous conduct and statements to the media.

The police also alleged that the two had made contradictory statements in court and in the media about whether they would refrain from similar activities. Their written response submitted during Wednesday's proceedings was also cited as inconsistent with their earlier submissions.

Police further referred to remarks made by another CJP member to the media while the leaders were being taken to Tihar Jail after an earlier hearing, arguing that the comments undermined the authority of the magistrate court.

The counsel representing Das and Ranka tendered an unconditional apology and assured the court that such conduct would not be repeated.

The magistrate held that continued judicial custody was not necessary at this stage, given the undertakings and bonds furnished by the two leaders.

How did the case reach this stage?

Das and Ranka were initially remanded to five days of judicial custody on October 14 in connection with the CJP protest. They were accused of entering the denotified protest site at Jantar Mantar and violating peace bonds. Their custody was extended by two days on October 19.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court declined to interfere with their judicial custody, asking them to await the magistrate court's decision and approach the appellate court if their grievance persisted.

The proceedings were initiated by Parliament Street police under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as preventive measures over apprehensions of a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity.

The next hearing is scheduled for October 23 at 3 pm. The inquiry will continue in accordance with the law.

With PTI inputs