Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Delhi Court Grants Bail to 17 Protesters Arrested at Demonstration
A Delhi court let 17 people leave custody while their case continues.
They were arrested at a protest connected to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Reports disagree about whether the protest was mainly demanding his resignation or was about police handling of a sexual-harassment complaint against an officer.
Police said the group broke rules about gatherings, blocked a public area, hurt officers, and damaged a bus.
The court said these accusations were serious.
It also said the accused were young and did not seem to be repeat offenders.
They received bail but must follow court rules, including attending hearings and not interfering with the case.
Two people said police beat them in custody, so the court sought a report and ordered relevant CCTV footage preserved.
One report also said the court directed that injured people receive medical care.
A Patiala House Court magistrate granted bail to 17 students and freelance journalists arrested during a Delhi protest involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Reports differed on the protest’s immediate focus: demanding Kumar’s resignation or protesting police handling of a sexual-harassment complaint against ACP Vivek Bhagat.
Police alleged the group assembled unlawfully despite prohibitory orders, obstructed public space, assaulted or manhandled officers, and damaged a bus.
The court called the allegations serious but said the accused were young and did not appear to be habitual offenders; it granted bail subject to conditions.
After two accused alleged custodial violence, the court sought a report from the DCP and directed preservation of relevant police-station CCTV footage; another report said the jail superintendent was told to arrange medical care for injured people.
- Who
- Seventeen students and freelance journalists arrested during the protest; Judicial Magistrate First Class Animesh Kumar granted bail.
- What
- The court granted conditional bail and issued directions concerning alleged custodial violence and medical care for injured people.
- When
- Monday night; four bail orders were passed between 9:00 and 9:25 p.m. The reports do not consistently specify the date.
- Where
- Patiala House Court, Delhi; the case was registered at Parliament Street police station.
- Why
- The court cited the accused persons’ young age and said they did not appear to be habitual offenders, while noting the allegations were serious.
Police Allegations and Investigation
Bail Ruling and Protesters’ Claims
Conduct during the protest
Police Allegations and Investigation
Police alleged unlawful assembly, obstruction of public space, assault or manhandling of officers, injury to a woman officer, and damage to a bus. The investigating officer sought 14 days of judicial custody.
Bail Ruling and Protesters’ Claims
The court said the allegations were serious but granted bail, citing the accused persons’ age and lack of apparent habitual offending. It imposed conditions on their release.
Purpose of the protest
Police Allegations and Investigation
One account described the protest as demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Bail Ruling and Protesters’ Claims
Another account said the protesters were demonstrating against police for not registering an FIR concerning a sexual-harassment allegation against ACP Vivek Bhagat.
Treatment in custody
Police Allegations and Investigation
The reports describe the police allegations against protesters but do not provide a police response to the custodial-violence claims.
Bail Ruling and Protesters’ Claims
Two accused alleged they were beaten at the police station. The court sought a DCP report and directed that relevant CCTV footage be preserved; one report also described directions for medical care for injured people.
- People granted bail
- 17, described in reports as students and freelance journalists.
- Court and magistrate
- Patiala House Court; Judicial Magistrate First Class Animesh Kumar.
- Bail orders
- Four orders passed between 9:00 and 9:25 p.m.
- Bail terms
- Reports describe a personal bond with one surety; one specifies a Rs 15,000 bond and surety in each case.
- Police allegations
- Unlawful assembly, obstruction of public space, manhandling or assaulting officers, and damage to a bus; police said a woman officer was injured.
- Custodial allegations
- Two accused alleged they were beaten at Parliament Street police station; the court sought a DCP report and ordered relevant CCTV footage preserved.
- Bail conditions
- Conditions reported include attending hearings, not influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, keeping contact details current, and obtaining court permission before leaving India.
- Medical care
- One report said the court directed the jail superintendent to ensure medical care and evaluation for people injured during the protest or subsequent police action.
Sources
Anti-EC protest | ‘They have entire career lying ahead’: Delhi court grants bail to 17 protesters arrested
'Serious But Not Habitual Offender': Delhi Court Grants Bail To 17 Protesters
‘Entire Career Ahead’: Delhi Court Grants Bail To 17 Youths Arrested At Jantar Mantar Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
