Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Goa High Court Orders Release of Seven Detained Protesters
Seven people were taken into custody during a protest in Panaji, Goa.
The protest group wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The Bombay High Court at Goa heard about the detentions on Sunday night.
The judges said there were no prohibitory orders under the cited law.
They said this meant the detentions may not have been authorised.
The court ordered police to release all seven people.
Police sources said the protesters were released that night.
The court was also told that a magistrate had orally instructed police to detain them.
Police detained seven protesters at Azad Maidan in Panaji during a demonstration.
The protest, organised by a Cockroach Janta Party affiliate in Goa, sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Bombay High Court at Goa ordered the seven to be released on Sunday night.
The bench said their detention may not have been authorised because no prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS were in force.
Police were informed that Executive Magistrate Dattaprasad Toraskar had orally instructed officers to detain the protesters after they allegedly entered the maidan.
- Who
- Seven protesters, police, and the Bombay High Court at Goa; the protest was organised by a Cockroach Janta Party affiliate.
- What
- The court ordered police to release seven detained protesters, saying their detention may not have been authorised.
- When
- Sunday night; the detention occurred hours before the order.
- Where
- Azad Maidan, Panaji, Goa.
- Why
- The protesters were demonstrating to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; the court cited the absence of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS.
Court’s concern
Police account
Whether detention was authorised
Court’s concern
The court said that without prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, the detention may not have been authorised.
Police account
The court was informed that Executive Magistrate Dattaprasad Toraskar orally instructed police to detain the seven because they had allegedly barged into Azad Maidan.
- Number detained
- Seven protesters
- Protest location
- Azad Maidan, Panaji
- Court
- High Court of Bombay at Goa
- Court order
- Release the seven detainees
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Legal point cited
- No prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS
- Release
- Police sources said all seven were released on Sunday night