'No breach of peace for one year': Condition imposed on release of CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das & Ashutosh Ranka, detained ahead of ECI protest

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released by an Executive Magistrate on Sunday after being placed under preventive arrest by Delhi Police, according to the party's legal affairs head, Ratna Singh. Their release came with a condition that they must not breach the peace for one year. In a post on X, Singh confirmed their release, writing: "Executive Magistrate court releases Abhijeet, Saurav and Ashutosh." The three leaders were detained on Saturday at Indira Gandhi International Airport after arriving in Delhi to participate in a protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI). The proposed demonstration was directed at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

CJP leaders released on Rs 50,000 surety bond, must maintain peace for one year: Delhi Police

Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released by the SEM Court in Delhi Cantt on Sunday after being placed under preventive arrest, Delhi Police said.

In a statement, Delhi Police said the three were arrested on October 10 under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and were produced before the SEM Court on Sunday after the prescribed legal procedures were followed.


"A bail bond as Surety Bond of Rs 50,000 was filled for maintaining peace and good behaviour for a period of one year, and they were released by the SEM Court," Delhi Police said.

CJP leaders released after appearing before Executive Magistrate

Before their release, Singh had said that the three leaders were scheduled to appear before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 am on Sunday.

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"Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today. A Delhi police official informed me about this in the morning. As CJP's Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us," Singh had said in an earlier post on X.

The three were placed under preventive arrest ahead of the party's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10.

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The condition requiring them to refrain from any breach of peace for one year is an important aspect of the release order. The precise wording of the Executive Magistrate's order would be needed to establish the scope of the condition and the consequences of any alleged violation.

Ratna Singh denies CJP filed Supreme Court petition

Meanwhile, Singh denied that the CJP had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the release of its leaders and other members detained ahead of the proposed protest.

She clarified that a petition circulating on social media had not been filed by the party and said the CJP was not approaching the Supreme Court over the alleged detentions.

"Pls note - This petition is not filed by @Cockroachisback. We are not approaching the Supreme Court, and no habeas corpus petition has been approved by the CJP's legal team," Singh posted on X.

She also tagged a post by a legal news platform that had shared the petition, reiterating that the document had not been filed by the party.

The petition stated that it was being instituted under Article 32 of the Constitution of India and sought a writ, including habeas corpus, directing the authorities to produce before the Supreme Court all persons allegedly detained in connection with the CJP's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10.

It also sought the immediate release of those whose custody was not authorised by law.

CJP announces fresh protest at Jantar Mantar

Separately, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde announced that protesters would march towards Jantar Mantar again on Sunday. Shinde said the protesters would continue their demonstration until the Chief Election Commissioner resigned.

The planned protest follows the party's allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the preventive detention of its members ahead of Saturday's demonstration.

The CJP has said it intends to continue its protests, while the circumstances surrounding the detentions and the conditions attached to the three leaders' release remain key developments in the matter.


Inputs from agencies