AISA leader Neha Bora refuses peace bond after Delhi High Court rejects challenge

All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora said Saturday that they would not sign a ₹10,000 peace bond, a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed their challenge to the notice requiring it.

Bora appeared before a special executive magistrate at Mandir Marg police station, where their counsel received documents underlying the police allegation that they were likely to breach the peace. Advocate Abhik Chimni said the magistrate gave Bora until October 29 to examine the documents and respond.

The October 17 notice, issued under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, directed Bora to show cause why they should not furnish a personal bond with one surety to maintain peace during the inquiry. It followed Bora’s preventive detention on October 16 during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Justice Subramonium Prasad rejected Bora’s petition on Friday, finding that sufficient safeguards existed. The court directed the magistrate to provide Bora with all material relied upon before issuing any order and to consider when, during the inquiry, a bond could be required.

At a press conference before the hearing, Bora argued that peaceful protest and dissent should not be treated as threats to public order. They said AISA would not sign the bond under its current interpretation. Bora’s petition had contended that the notice was vague, factually inaccurate and unsupported by evidence establishing a likelihood of a breach of peace.