Neha Bora refuses peace bond for fourth time, summoned again on November 20

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora has refused, for the fourth time, to sign a peace bond in connection with protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A special executive magistrate (SEM) court has summoned her again for a hearing on November 20, 2026.Bora and her lawyer have argued that peaceful protest does not constitute an offence and that the preventive proceedings are an attempt to curb democratic dissent. The court has provided her with copies of six FIRs and other documents cited by Delhi Police to justify its apprehension of a breach of peace.Last Thursday, Bora told the Delhi High Court that she was not involved in the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) call for a protest. Challenging the police notice issued after her detention on October 16, her lawyer argued that she had committed no offence or engaged in any activity that could be considered a breach of peace.DELHI HIGH COURT HAD REJECTED HER PLEAOn October 23, the Delhi High Court dismissed Bora’s petition challenging a police show-cause notice and summons directing her to execute a Rs 10,000 personal bond with one surety. The notice, issued on October 17 under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), required her to explain why she should not furnish the bond to maintain peace during the inquiry. The high court declined to grant her immediate relief but directed authorities to supply all material relied upon to justify the preventive action. Bora appeared before the SEM at Mandir Marg police station on October 24, when the documents were handed over to her counsel, advocate Abhik Chimni. The defence was given time to examine the material and respond.Bora has alleged that the proceedings violate her constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly and life and personal liberty under Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b) and 21 of the Constitution.WHAT LED TO THE PROCEEDINGS? The case stems from protests against Kumar over allegations of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Delhi Police cited sloganeering at Mandi House, repeated protests around Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, and allegations that Bora instigated people to join a demonstration at Connaught Place on October 16.Police also alleged that she hoisted the national flag without permission. During the high court proceedings, her counsel argued that citizens did not require permission to hoist the national flag.Bora was taken into preventive detention on October 16 while on her way to join the Cockroach Janata Party’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place. She was released the following day.The proceedings are continuing before the SEM court, with Bora maintaining that she will not sign the peace bond. The next hearing is scheduled for November 20.- Ends