A Delhi Executive Magistrate has ordered the release of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) leaders Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka following their detention by the Delhi Police ahead of a proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The three leaders were produced before the Special Executive Magistrate, South-West District, at Delhi Cantonment Police Station after being taken into preventive custody on Saturday. They had travelled to the national capital to participate in a demonstration linked to the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The police action reportedly followed the invocation of Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which provide for preventive proceedings to avert breaches of peace and, in specified circumstances, preventive arrest to prevent the commission of a cognisable offence.
The Magistrate subsequently directed their release. According to information shared by the organisation, the relief was accompanied by a condition requiring the three individuals to maintain peace for a period of one year.
Advocate Soutik Banerjee, appearing for the detained leaders, confirmed that they had been released. Ratna Singh, who heads CJP’s legal affairs, also confirmed the development.
The detentions occurred against the backdrop of a proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar concerning the Election Commission’s conduct and the ongoing debate over the SIR exercise. The incident has brought renewed attention to the exercise of preventive powers by the police in circumstances involving planned public demonstrations.
The matter also raises questions concerning the application of preventive provisions under the BNSS and the safeguards available to individuals subjected to such measures. While the statutory framework empowers authorities to act to prevent breaches of public tranquillity, the exercise of those powers remains subject to the requirements of law.
The development comes as the Supreme Court is scheduled to consider pleas concerning the detention of opposition leaders and restrictions imposed in connection with the protests in Delhi.
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