New Delhi: A night in police custody ended for All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora on Saturday, October 17, after Delhi Police completed the formalities for her release. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained alongside her ahead of a planned protest in the national capital, remained in custody and was scheduled to appear before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court.
The two were taken into preventive custody on Friday, October 16, before the proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place. The demonstration was linked to demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to Delhi Police, Bora’s release followed the completion of procedures under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act. Dipke, meanwhile, was arrested in a separate case involving alleged apprehension of a breach of peace under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Police sources said Dipke would be produced before the SEM court later on Saturday. No outcome of those proceedings was available at the time of reporting.
What Happened During The Delhi Protest Detentions?
Bora was detained at Mandi House while travelling towards Connaught Place, while Dipke was detained in the Jhandewalan area, according to police sources.
The proposed march prompted a significant security deployment in central Delhi. Police personnel cordoned off Central Park in Connaught Place, while Rapid Action Force personnel and additional security staff were positioned in the area.
Delhi Police said approximately 150 people had been detained as a preventive measure to maintain public order and ensure that traffic continued to move smoothly.
The detentions drew criticism from AISA, which questioned the police action and demanded the release of those held in connection with the protest.
Neha Bora Criticises Police After Release
Following her release, Bora accused Delhi Police of using unlawful detention practices. Speaking to PTI Videos, she said she had been detained at Mandi House and kept at a police station until approximately 5 am.
She questioned the legal basis for holding protesters overnight and argued that the incident raised concerns about how authorities were handling demonstrations.
Bora also called for the immediate release of the other detained protesters, specifically naming Dipke. She demanded that restrictions affecting central Delhi be lifted and urged the authorities to end the SIR process.
The AISA president further called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign or face impeachment and legal action. These were political demands made by Bora; they do not constitute findings of wrongdoing by a court.
AISA Raises Questions Over Access To Lawyers And Medicines
AISA separately alleged that Bora was shifted between multiple locations in Delhi over a period of around five hours before being taken to the RK Puram police station.
The organisation claimed that lawyers who arrived at the station around midnight were not permitted to meet her. It also alleged that officers did not provide clarity about her release and withheld medicines despite being aware that she had been unwell.
These claims were made by AISA and were not independently established in the information available. Police, meanwhile, said the preventive action was intended to avoid a breach of peace and manage the expected gathering.
Why Is Abhijeet Dipke Being Produced Before The SEM Court?
Dipke’s legal position differs from Bora’s following their initial detention. Police initiated action against him under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS before arresting him in a fresh breach-of-peace case.
An earlier incident had also resulted in preventive action against Dipke. When he was detained at the airport on October 10, a separate case was registered, and he was made to sign a bond undertaking that he would not disturb the peace for one year, according to the police account.
The latest proceedings were expected to take place before a Special Executive Magistrate on Saturday. The court process would determine the next step in the matter.
For now, Bora has been released, while Dipke’s case remains pending before the authorities. The episode has also brought renewed attention to the competing claims surrounding the protest, with AISA alleging improper police conduct and Delhi Police citing public-order concerns.
