NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das , Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde are expected to appear before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court on Friday, even as the Delhi Police Crime Branch continues its investigation into the October 13 Jantar Mantar protest case.




The three activists, who were summoned for questioning on Thursday but did not appear, have been asked to join the probe between 10 am and 4 pm, ahead of the court hearing scheduled for 3 pm.




CJP activists miss Crime Branch questioning


The Crime Branch had called the three activists to its Rajouri Garden office at noon on Thursday. However, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde did not appear before the investigating agency and sought additional time to join the probe.




Police are expected to issue fresh notices to the activists. No fresh notice had been issued for Friday, but they have been asked to appear for questioning anytime between 10 am and 4 pm.




If the activists decide to join the investigation on Friday, they are expected to appear before the Crime Branch before the SEM court hearing at 3 pm. Their appearance before the investigating agency, however, will depend on their decision.




SEM court orders release of CJP leaders from judicial custody


The latest developments follow an order by the SEM court directing the release of Das and Ranka from judicial custody after accepting their personal and surety bonds and recording written undertakings from them to maintain peace and abide by the law.




SEM Ritu Raj directed both leaders to furnish personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, which will remain in force until the conclusion of the enquiry.




The court also instructed them to attend every hearing and comply with the conditions laid down in their bonds and undertakings.




In their written undertakings, Das and Ranka pledged not to breach peace or disturb public tranquillity. They also agreed not to call for protests at Jantar Mantar until the site is denotified in accordance with the law.




Any future demonstrations, they stated, would be conducted within the constitutional framework.




"Further judicial custody does not appear to be necessary at this stage, particularly after written undertakings before this Court," the SEM court observed while ordering their release.




Why were CJP activists detained?


Das and Ranka were detained in connection with a protest held at Jantar Mantar on October 13. The site had been denotified as a designated protest venue.




According to the police, the activists entered the area through private premises and allegedly violated conditions relating to the maintenance of peace.




The case concerns the circumstances surrounding the protest and the alleged breach of the applicable restrictions.




The SEM court has clarified that the enquiry into the matter will continue in accordance with the law, despite the release of the two activists from judicial custody.




(With ANI inputs)