The Delhi High Court dismissed Neh Bor’s plea against the police’s call to sign the peace accord

Student activist Neha Bora, center, shouts slogans during a youth demonstration. File | Photo credit: AP

The Delhi High Court on Friday (October 23, 2026) dismissed All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neh Bor’s plea challenging the police notice seeking execution of a peace bond before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM).

“I reject the plea at this time,” said Justice Subramonium Prasad while pronouncing the sentence.

However, the judge said he had given SEM certain instructions about providing all material to the student leader in the proceedings.

Furnishing materials

“Sufficient safeguards are given; directions have been given to the magistrate to take care. All the material must be given to Neha Bora,” Justice Prasad said.

The court also said that before issuing any order, the SEM would consider whether the bond has to be submitted in the first instance or during the investigation.

The AISA national president challenged the police notice directing Neh Bor to grant bail for keeping the peace before the SEM.

A police notice issued on 17 October under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) asked the student leader to appear before the SEM on 19 October and show cause why Neha Bora should not be granted a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety “to maintain peace during the investigation”.

Section 126 of the BNSS empowers the SEM to compel such signing of bonds if there is credible information that a certain person is likely to disturb the peace, disturb the public peace or commit an illegal act likely to cause a disturbance.

During the hearing on Thursday (October 22), Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who appeared for the Delhi Police, questioned the maintainability of Neh Bor’s petition.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for Neha Bora, argued that the SEM had issued the notice to the student activist without using independent judgement, describing it as “cut and paste”.

Referring to the police allegation that Neha Bora 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.

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

Published – 23 Oct 2026 19:45 IST