On February 27, the Patiala House Court in New Delhi approved bail for five students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who were detained in connection with a protest at the university. The court hearing followed the students’ arrests earlier that day. The case was initiated at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station. According to police reports, the protesting students allegedly broke through barricades during the demonstration, resulting in injuries to 27 police personnel.

Judicial Proceedings

Judicial Magistrate First Class Animesh Kumar granted bail to the accused students—identified as Neha, Ranvijay, Varkay Parakkal, and Abhishek Kumar—on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 each, requiring a surety of the same amount. The magistrate made the bail contingent on the verification of their permanent addresses, as the accused had initially been hesitant to provide their residential details. However, since the bail bonds were not submitted immediately, the court remanded the accused to 14 days of judicial custody, scheduled to last until March 13.

Arguments Presented in Court

Advocate Deeksha Dwivedi, representing Ranvijay Singh, contended that there were no specific allegations made against the students involved. She emphasized that the students were educated individuals participating in a peaceful protest regarding the UGC Regulations and comments made by the university’s Vice Chancellor. Dwivedi further asserted that the students had been confined within the campus without any prohibitory orders and that police barricades had been set up at the university’s entrances. The defense claimed that the students had not received prior notices before their arrest and had not resorted to violence.

Police Opposition to Bail

The Assistant Commissioner of Police from Vasant Kunj opposed the bail plea, describing the recent protest as non-peaceful. He informed the court that the accused students had previously participated in protests resulting in the registration of four separate FIRs. According to the police, the students attempted to march towards India Gate with a large group of approximately 300 to 350 individuals without obtaining the necessary permissions. The ACP claimed that when police officials attempted to address concerns regarding law and order, the students allegedly reacted with violence.

Court’s Observations

In granting bail, the magistrate acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, especially in light of the reported injuries sustained by police personnel. Magistrate Animesh Kumar noted, “Assaulting police officials on duty is a serious concern that cannot be permitted under the pretext of a peaceful protest.” Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court considered the nature of the offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of five years, alongside the students’ status as individuals without a history of habitual offending.

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