Neha Bora refuses to sign peace bond:Asks how questioning govt disturbs peace; Delhi HC earlier denied her relief

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora on Saturday said she would not sign a personal bond of ₹10,000 to maintain peace, a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed her petition challenging a police notice. Speaking at a press conference at the CPI(ML) Liberation parliamentary office, Neha defended the right to peaceful protest, saying it was a democratic right. She questioned how seeking answers from the government could be considered a threat to peace. Neha said the High Court had directed her to participate in proceedings before the Special Executive Magistrate rather than rule on the merits of her petition. She argued that a magistrate could not compel a person to sign a bond merely by issuing a show-cause notice, adding that the principles of natural justice must be followed. She said AISA would continue to challenge the use of peace bonds and expressed hope that courts would recognise the conflict between such measures and the constitutional right to dissent. Three key points from Neha’s press conference… 1. On peace bonds: The Constitution gives us the right to protest, but people are detained in the name of preventing a breach of peace. Peace bonds are being used to stop peaceful demonstrations. 2. On police conduct: Protesters did nothing wrong during the demonstration. The police resorted to lathi-charge, tore women’s clothes and assaulted journalists. If peace was disrupted, it was due to the police’s conduct, not the protest. 3. On democratic rights: The right to vote is not the only important right in a democracy. Questioning injustice and standing up against violations of our rights are equally important. If we cannot question the government, does peace simply mean remaining silent? Neha detained during October 16 protest Neha was among those who participated in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Delhi’s Mandi House on October 16. The protest called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). According to Neha, she was detained around 10 minutes after the protest began and released on the morning of October 17 after being held overnight. Magistrate issued notice under BNSS The Special Executive Magistrate issued a notice on October 17 under Sections 126 and 130, read with Section 135(3), of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Neha received the notice on October 18. The notice sought her response regarding the requirement to furnish a personal bond of ₹10,000 and one surety to maintain peace during the inquiry. It cited allegations of slogan-raising at Mandi House, repeated protests around Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders, and inciting people to protest at Connaught Place on October 16. Neha subsequently challenged the notice in the High Court. Centre alleges 12 instances of rule violations During the High Court hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Centre and Delhi Police, argued that Neha had repeatedly violated rules. According to a LiveLaw report, he cited 12 alleged instances of violations. Sharma said the Special Executive Magistrate had examined the available material twice and issued the notice after verifying information provided by the investigating officer. The hearing also saw arguments over calls for a change of government. Neha’s lawyer argued that demanding a change of government was not wrong in a democracy. Opposing the argument, the ASG said governments change through elections and votes, not through what he described as “disruptive elements” gathering in the national capital.