India Gate protest against pollution by students leads to arrests and three day extended remand for probing possible Naxal or terror links
Townhall Times Students in Delhi held a peaceful protest at India Gate against the toxic pollution and the government’s negligence in ensuring clean air for citizens. They raised slogans demanding their fundamental right to breathe in a healthy environment. Police, however, claimed that India Gate is not a designated protest site and tried to remove them forcefully while insisting that all demonstrations must take place at Jantar Mantar. During this intervention, several students and activists were detained.
According to the police FIR, the protesters allegedly used pepper spray which injured a woman police officer. The FIR also claims that the group raised slogans in support of slain Naxal commander Hidma. Based on these allegations, the police invoked IPC section 153B, accusing the protesters of actions that could harm national unity. A total of around 22 to 23 individuals, including 23 students, were taken into custody and produced before Patiala House Court on November 24 where Judge Aridaman Singh Cheema sent five students to two-day judicial custody until November 26.
When the students were produced again on November 26, the police sought a week-long remand arguing that the slogans like “Hidma Zindabad” raised suspicions of possible links to Naxal organizations. Police also stated that recent blast cases in Delhi involved educated youth which made detailed interrogation necessary. The defense countered that the police failed to establish any connection even after two days of custody and instead subjected the students to custodial violence while withholding their medical examination reports.
Advocate Harsh Gautam, representing journalist Vishnu Shankar Tiwari, said the police narrative is a fabricated story without any evidence. He stated that Tiwari was present solely to report the protest and had no role in organizing or participating in it. DCP Devesh informed the court that the social media accounts of the accused were searched but requested more time to investigate. Yet, he did not present any proof suggesting affiliation with banned or radical groups.
Meanwhile, families of the detained students alleged mental harassment and mistreatment by police. Authorities claimed the protesters assaulted personnel and used chili spray, but failed to produce any medical documents to support the claim. They also accused the students of displaying Hidma’s photographs and shouting slogans like “Hidma Amar Rahe, You can kill one Hidma but many more will rise,” which the defense denied. Notably, the FIR initially mentioned only one spray bottle, but during court arguments the number was changed to three. Despite stating that the entire incident was captured on CCTV, police did not show any footage proving the alleged attack.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the court granted three days of extended police remand for all accused students to allow further investigation.
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