All India Students’ Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora on Saturday, October 24, refused to sign a peace bond, challenging the evidence cited by Delhi Police in proceedings linked to protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Her announcement came a day after the Delhi High Court rejected her petition challenging the police notice.
Bora Calls Police Evidence Factually Incorrect
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Bora argued that the police notice incorrectly linked her organisation to a protest at Central Park in Connaught Place. She maintained that AISA had not issued the call for that demonstration.
Bora questioned the meaning of maintaining peace when citizens were raising concerns about voter deletions. She argued that peaceful protests provide a democratic platform for people to question government decisions and demand accountability.
The police notice directed her to execute a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety to maintain peace during the inquiry.
Delhi High Court Rejects Her Plea
The Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the preventive proceedings, observing that sufficient material was available before the Special Executive Magistrate to issue the notice.
Justice Subramonium Prasad held that the notice met legal requirements and was not based merely on hearsay. The court’s decision leaves the peace bond requirement in place.
CJP Leaders Continue Their Opposition
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka criticised the bond requirement, arguing that it could not override the constitutional right to protest. Co-convener Saurav Das also renewed his criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The CJP leaders were released from judicial custody on October 21 after furnishing bonds of ₹50,000 each and submitting written undertakings to maintain peace. They also agreed not to call protests at Jantar Mantar until it is officially designated as a protest site again.
SIR Controversy Fuels Protests
The demonstrations follow an investigation by The Indian Express reporting that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding decisions taken by the poll body. The Election Commission maintained that major decisions, including the SIR exercise, were taken unanimously.
Meanwhile, activist Yogendra Yadav called for a human chain at Hyderabad’s Tank Bund on Saturday to protest alleged voter deletions and defend electoral democracy.