The Delhi High Court is set to hear a petition from Neha Bora, president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), on October 22. This petition contests a notice issued by the Delhi Police, which requires her to sign a peace bond before a Special Executive Magistrate. The news was reported by the Press Trust of India. Bora has been at the forefront of protests regarding alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In her petition, Bora has requested the cancellation of the police notice and has sought directions to prevent any coercive action against her. The hearing was postponed at the request of her legal counsel, and it has been scheduled during the High Court’s Dussehra vacation following Bora’s urgent request.

The police notice, issued on October 17 under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), mandates that Bora appear before the Special Executive Magistrate on October 19. The notice requires her to explain why she should not be compelled to execute a personal bond of Rs 10,000, along with one surety, to maintain peace during the inquiry.

Context of the Police Notice

Section 126 empowers a Special Executive Magistrate to demand such a bond if credible information suggests that an individual may breach the peace or disturb public order. According to reports, Bora was taken into preventive detention on October 16 while heading to join the Cockroach Janata Party’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, but was released the following day.

In her legal challenge, Bora’s lawyer, Abhik Chimni, argued that the police notice is vague and factually incorrect. The petition claims that the notice lacks material evidence to substantiate the assertion that she poses a risk to public peace. It also criticises the notice for not specifying the time, occasion, or event during which a breach of peace was anticipated.

The petition further describes the police’s actions as a misuse of preventive powers aimed at suppressing peaceful dissent. It alleges violations of Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which protect the rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and personal liberty.

Allegations Against Neha Bora

The proceedings before the Special Executive Magistrate are reportedly based on allegations that Bora incited slogans at Mandi House on October 16 and continued to protest at Jantar Mantar despite restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the BNSS. It is claimed that she encouraged individuals to join a protest at Connaught Place on the same day.

The petition asserts that the notice relies on an incorrect premise, alleging that Bora instigated participation in a demonstration at Central Park, Connaught Place, on October 16, 2026. It clarifies that her call was for a peaceful gathering at Mandi House at 5:00 PM on that date, and records indicate that she was detained at Mandi House.

Moreover, the petition points out that the notice fails to identify any specific prohibitory order that Bora allegedly disregarded. It states that the only order on record, dated August 23, 2026, does not apply to Mandi House and exempts Jantar Mantar Road from restrictions.

Upcoming Hearing

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear Neha Bora’s challenge to the police notice on October 22. The case will examine her claims that the proceedings lack specific grounds and are intended to suppress peaceful protests. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for the rights of individuals engaging in public demonstrations.

As the date approaches, the legal community and observers will be closely monitoring the developments in this case, which highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the right to protest in India. The court’s decision may set a precedent for future cases involving similar allegations against activists and student leaders.

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