Continued from P1

Earlier, CJP leaders withdrew their petition before the Delhi High Court challenging a special executive magistrate’s decision to extend their judicial custody. Das and Ranka were taken into custody on October 13 after they allegedly climbed over a locked gate to enter Jantar Mantar, which had earlier been denotified as a designated protest site. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke expressed solidarity with the group’s co-convenors, saying they could not be with their families during the festive season. Dipke said that while some people might “troll” him, he was getting emotional because he “cares for” Das and Ranka and considers them as his family.