Nothing wrong with seeking regime change in a democracy: Neha Bora tells Delhi High Court

All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha Bora with others after her release from RK Puram police station in New Delhi on October 17, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

All India Students Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora’s counsel argued before the Delhi High Court on Thursday (Oct 22, 2026) that there was nothing wrong with seeking regime change in a democracy, while the court reserved its order on her plea challenging the police notice to grant a peace bond before a special executive judge.

Justice Subramonium Prasad said the court would announce its decision on October 23 at 6 pm after hearing arguments from lawyers representing Neh and the Delhi Police.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Delhi Police, questioned the maintainability of the student leader’s petition and referred to certain materials, including a joint press conference attended by Ms Bora where the regime change announcement was made.

Responding to the post, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for Ms Bora, said: “There is nothing wrong with regime change in a democracy.”

Also Read: Neha Bora released, Abhijeet Dipke to be produced in court SEM: Delhi Police

Lumpen grouping elements: ASG

Countering this argument, the ASG said, “Regime change in a democracy will take place through voting, not by lumpen elements gathered in the nerve of New Delhi.

However, Mr. Sankaranarayanan alleged that the Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) issued the notice to the activist without exercising independent judgment, describing it as a “cut and paste job”.

Referring to the police’s claim that Neha had hoisted the national flag without permission, he argued that citizens need not seek official permission to do so.

However, the ASG argued that sufficient material was available before the SEM at the time the notice was issued and that the judge had exercised his discretion.

The AISA president was taken into preventive custody on October 16 when she wanted to join the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). She was released on October 17.

CJP leaders are skipping the crime branch questioning

Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka failed to appear for questioning before the Delhi Crime Branch on Thursday and sought more time to join the investigation, police sources said. The police are likely to issue fresh notices to both the leaders.

The crime branch issued notices to Mr. Das and Mr. Rank on Wednesday after their release from seven days of judicial custody, directing them to appear for questioning on Thursday at noon.

The investigation relates to allegations of trespassing at Jantar Mantar after it was marked as a protest site, obstructing police personnel on duty, disobeying a government order, among others.

Mr. Das and Mr. Ranka were detained on October 13 for allegedly entering the barricaded protest area by climbing over its gates. On October 14, they were remanded in judicial custody for five days, and on October 19, the custody was extended by another two days.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 17:09 IST