The development comes a day after Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday following a week in judicial custody. Earlier this week, Delhi Police transferred cases related to protests involving CJP leaders to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
The cases relate to an incident on October 13, when Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Shinde and 11 others allegedly entered Jantar Mantar without authorisation. Jantar Mantar has not been notified under the law as a designated site for protests.
Delhi Police detained all those involved in the incident. Shinde was released on a bail bond, while Das and Ranka remained in judicial custody for a week. CJP members had been protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. During the demonstration, they also raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released on Wednesday after submitting written assurances before Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Rituraj. The two leaders assured the authorities that they would maintain peace and would not call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site was officially notified as a protest venue under the law.
In the case concerning unauthorised entry into Jantar Mantar, SEM Rituraj directed the release of both activists pending completion of the investigation. The order required each of them to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety bond of the same amount.
In their written assurances, both activists also pledged not to disturb public peace and expressed full faith in the judiciary and all its institutions, including the SEM court. Their request for additional time to appear before the Crime Branch now means that Delhi Police will issue fresh summons as the investigation into the protest-related cases continues.
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