New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- The whereabouts of All India Students' Association (AISA) president Neha Bora remained unclear on Friday night after she was detained near Mandi House Metro station while attempting to participate in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Election Commissioner Appointment Act, 2023.
According to AISA, Bora was detained on Friday evening after the organisation announced a march from Mandi House towards Connaught Place around half an hour before its scheduled start. The protest was held in response to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) call for a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march at Central Park.
The association alleged that Bora was initially seen sitting alone in a detention vehicle before being taken to the Anti-Narcotics Task Force facility at Palam. When her lawyers and colleagues reached the facility seeking access to her, police personnel refused their request, according to a representation submitted by her counsel, advocate Supantha Sinha, to senior Delhi Police officials at 9.21 p.m.
The representation alleged that police subsequently removed Bora from the facility without disclosing her destination, despite repeated requests from her lawyers. It sought immediate disclosure of her whereabouts, access to legal counsel, a review of her detention and her release unless continued custody was legally authorised.
AISA said at 8 p.m. that there had been no communication with Bora and alleged that associates were being denied access. The organisation demanded that police establish her whereabouts and ensure her safety. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters carrying national flags staged demonstrations in Connaught Place and Mandi House amid heavy police deployment. The protests continued at Jantar Mantar after Bora's detention.
Police denied permission for the proposed march, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Central Park was scheduled to remain closed on Friday and Saturday by NDMC advisory
given yesterday.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.