The Delhi High Court rejected Neha Bora's plea challenging a police notice for a peace bond. The notice followed her October 2026 detention during protests against the Election Commissioner.

All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora has challenged a police show-cause notice in the Delhi High Court following her overnight detention during nationwide demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Police apprehended Bora near Barakhamba Road as she traveled toward a flash protest in Connaught Place, holding her overnight at the R.K. Puram Police Station before releasing her on the morning of October 17, 2026. The detention took place amid widespread unrest organized by student groups and the Cockroach Janta Party demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

Following her detention, authorities initiated preventive proceedings against Bora, ordering her to explain why the court should not compel her to submit a ₹10,000 (around $120) personal bond and a surety to guarantee good behavior. Bora petitioned the High Court to squash the notice, arguing that police allegations of sloganeering and illegal protest were unfounded.

1. Justice Subramonium Prasad ordered the special executive magistrate to provide all relevant material to Bora. The court mandated that the magistrate share this evidence during the proceedings. This ruling grants the petitioner access to the evidence used against her.

2. Police issued the notice under Section 126 of the "Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita." This law authorizes officials to require individuals to sign a bond to maintain peace.

3. The magistrate initiated proceedings following allegations of repeated protests at Jantar Mantar. These demonstrations violated Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) prohibitory orders. Authorities also cited sloganeering at Mandi House as grounds for the notice. They alleged that individuals actively incited others to participate in the demonstrations.

4. The court did not strike down the process. Justice Subramonium Prasad directed the special executive magistrate to provide all material to the student leader in the proceedings.

1. Neha Bora disputed police allegations concerning the protest at Connaught Place. She stated that she organized a gathering at Mandi House at 5:00 PM on October 16, 2026, not at the location police cited.

2. Police detained Bora on October 16, 2026, while she traveled to a protest march. Officers held her overnight at the RK Puram Police Station. Her legal team, led by advocate Abhik Chimni, challenged the subsequent notice. Bora argued the notice was ambiguous and factually incorrect.

3. The notice invoked Sections 126, 130, and 135(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).