Delhi Police Secure Custody of Students Arrested in India Gate Protest
The Delhi Police have been granted three days of custody for several students arrested in connection with a recent protest near India Gate. The protest, which took place on Sunday, November 23, 2025, was initially focused on concerns regarding air quality in Delhi but reportedly turned violent.
Subhash Chandran, the counsel for one of the accused, stated that the police had requested a seven-day custody period, but the court, after a lengthy deliberation, granted only three days. The accused are scheduled to appear in court again on Friday.
Chandran, representing a Delhi University student, argued that his client participated in the protest solely to raise awareness about Delhi's air quality index (AQI) and has no affiliation with any radical organizations.
However, the police have alleged that the students were involved in radical movements and used pepper spray against law enforcement officers during the demonstration. They also cited the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) notification, suggesting the involvement of Maoist organizations. Countering this, Chandran asserted that there is no evidence to support these claims in his client's case.
According to reports, a total of 23 students were arrested, leading to the registration of two First Information Reports (FIRs). The FIRs include charges related to assault, obstruction of public servants, and outraging the modesty of women under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The police informed the court that they are investigating potential connections to Naxal groups, alleging that the protesters raised pro-Naxal slogans. They also claimed that the accused blocked Man Singh Road on November 9, indicating prior involvement in similar activities. Furthermore, the prosecution stated that the Radical Students Union (RSU), a banned organization, served as a front for the accused, who allegedly praised the group on social media. The police also told the court that 10 police personnel were allegedly attacked with pepper spray during the protest.
Defense attorneys have alleged torture in police custody and have filed bail applications on behalf of the accused, which are scheduled to be heard on Saturday. Advocate Vertika Mani, counsel for the protestors, told news agency ANI that lawyers were not allowed to meet them, and the grounds for arrest were not disclosed, nor was it clarified whether they were detained or formally arrested.
Judicial Magistrate Sahil Monga remanded 17 protesters, including 11 women, to jail for three days while Judicial Magistrate Aridaman Singh Cheema sent the remaining five – all students – to jail for two days while rejecting the plea of one of them seeking relief to appear for college exams scheduled for Tuesday.
