‘There Is No Justice Here’: CJP’s Saurabh Das Slams Court Decision

A court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Citizens Justice Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka by two more days over allegations of entering Jantar Mantar without permission and staging a protest. The order was issued on Monday. Reacting to the decision, Das criticised the court, saying, “There is no justice here.”

According to Hindustan Times, Mr. Das questioned the rejection of their bail pleas while being taken from the court in a police vehicle after the hearing. He alleged that the situation resembled an emergency and that justice was lacking in the court.

Speaking to the YouTube channel Smita Sharma Journalist, Mr. Das said, “We are in an emergency. There is no justice here. This is a police court. You can see what is happening.”

A special executive magistrate at Delhi’s Mandir Marg police station ordered the extension of custody for Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka. According to the court order reviewed by Hindustan Times, CJP leaders had knowingly violated the conditions of an undertaking given on October 11. The order also stated that repeatedly calling for protests at unauthorised locations showed disrespect for the law.

The court said the accused had been given two days to submit written statements, taking into account concerns about possible future disturbances, their past conduct and the arguments presented by both sides. Copies of the written statements must be submitted to the investigating officer in advance.

Citing the police’s submissions, the court said the detained CJP leaders had repeatedly used social media to call for protests at locations such as Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place that were not designated for such demonstrations. The court order stated that sufficient evidence supported the investigating officer’s application. It added that the information raised concerns about possible breaches of peace and public order.

Mr. Das, Mr. Ranka and their associate Ajinkya Shinde were detained on October 13 for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar without permission. According to the report, a video released by the CJP showed them climbing over a locked gate to enter the premises.

Mr. Shinde was released after furnishing a personal bond and a surety of Rs 5,000. Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka, however, were placed in judicial custody for five days. According to the court order, they violated their undertaking to maintain peace by entering Jantar Mantar without permission.

Another CJP leader, Abhijit Deepak, was later detained on October 16 while heading to Connaught Place. The party had called for a flag march titled “Lehra Do Tiranga” at Central Park in Connaught Place that day. Mr. Deepak was released on conditional bail the following day by order of a special executive magistrate. One of the key conditions was that he must not engage in any activity that could disturb public peace for the next year.

Source: Hindustan Times