New Delhi: All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora on Monday filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to challenge a police notice that directed her to submit a personal bond of ₹10,000 and provide a surety to ensure peace during an ongoing inquiry. The directive followed her recent participation in a public flag march.
A local police official, acting as the Special Executive Magistrate, ordered Bora to appear and execute the bond. The directive was issued on October 17, which was the same day she was released from custody after being detained during the flag march the previous day.
The administrative notice justified the bond requirement by citing three specific accusations: alleged sloganeering near Mandi House on October 16, repeated demonstration activities around Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and claims that she incited individuals to join a demonstration in Connaught Place.
Represented by advocate Abhik Chimni, Bora argued in her court filing that the notice is ambiguous, contains factual errors, and infringes upon her fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petition asserts that the authorities failed to provide any supporting evidence or documentation to justify the fear of a potential breach of peace, nor did they specify the timeframe or event prompting the concern.
Although the high court is currently observing a vacation period until October 25, Bora's legal representatives indicated they will seek an urgent hearing during the week. The challenge specifically disputes the claim that she instigated a demonstration at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, maintaining that her public call was exclusively for a peaceful gathering at Mandi House, where she was ultimately detained.
The context of these developments stems from a flag march announced by Cockroach Janta Party convenor Abhijeet Dipke following the arrest of two party co-convenors for unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar. Bora and other AISA members initiated their march from Mandi House, leading to her twelve-hour detention before her release early Saturday morning.
Following her release, Bora publicly criticized the handling of her detention by law enforcement. She questioned the legality of holding detainees through the night and releasing them only the following day, pointing out standard practices regarding the release of detainees, particularly women, after sunset.