Neha Bora Refuses to Sign Peace Bond After Delhi High Court Rejects Plea

New Delhi: All India Students’ Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora has said she will not sign a bond promising to maintain peace, following the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of her petition challenging a police notice requiring her to furnish such a bond.

The notice directed Bora to submit a personal bond of ₹10,000 along with one surety before an executive magistrate. It was issued after she participated in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest at Mandi House in Delhi on October 16. The notice, issued on October 17, invoked Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Arguing that peaceful protest is a democratic right, Bora questioned how challenging the government could be considered a threat to public peace. “Whose peace am I supposed to maintain?” she asked, objecting to the use of preventive measures against those raising their voices against the government.

The High Court, however, declined to entertain her plea, observing that there was sufficient material before the magistrate to issue the notice. It also directed that the documents and information forming the basis of the notice be provided to Bora before further proceedings, in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

The protest was part of demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties and protesters have alleged irregularities in the revision exercise, while the Election Commission has rejected allegations of bias.