New Delhi: The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were arrested on October 13 and subsequently sent to judicial custody.
Their judicial custody was initially ordered for five days and later extended by two days, until October 21.
The development came after the Delhi High Court heard a petition filed by the two activists challenging the SEM court’s order extending their judicial custody. The petitioners subsequently withdrew their plea, with the High Court clarifying that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case.
During the hearing, the Delhi High Court also had a light-hearted exchange with the petitioners’ counsel over their ages and whether they belonged to Generation Z.
Justice Subramonium Prasad asked advocate Abhik Chimni, appearing for the petitioners, about their ages. Chimni informed the court that Saurav Das was 27 years old and Ashutosh Ranka was 32.
“Then you are not Gen Z. What is Gen Z?” the court asked.
After being informed that people born after 1997 are considered Gen Z, the court reiterated, “Then you are not Gen Z.”
The exchange took place while the court was hearing the challenge to the SEM court’s order extending their judicial custody till October 21.
Justice Subramonium Prasad also questioned the petitioners’ decision to approach the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution, noting that an alternative remedy of revision could be available against the impugned order.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, along with advocate Ashish Dixit, appeared for the Delhi Police. Chimni represented Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and the other petitioners.
The petitioners subsequently withdrew their plea. The High Court clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case. The SEM Court ordered the release of the two activists on Wednesday.
