A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in Delhi on Wednesday directed the police to provide All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora with copies of six FIRs cited in proceedings seeking a peace bond from her. The next hearing has been scheduled for November 20.
Bora appeared before the SEM court at Mandir Marg on October 28 but declined to sign the bond for the fourth time, seeking further documents related to the allegations against her. Her counsel argued that the material previously supplied by the police did not contain complete details of the FIRs being cited as her criminal antecedents. The court directed the Barakhamba Road police station to provide the requested documents.
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Why Neha Bora Is Seeking Copies Of Six FIRs
The six FIRs have been cited by the police in support of preventive proceedings requiring Bora to explain why she should not furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000, along with one surety, to maintain peace.
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Her lawyer, Abhik Chimni, argued that the documents supplied earlier were incomplete and did not include copies of the FIRs in question. He maintained that the defence needed the full details to prepare its response to the show-cause notice.
The police reportedly told the court that the FIRs were sensitive in nature and would be provided by the next hearing. The court has now fixed November 20 for further proceedings.
Delhi High Court Had Rejected Her Challenge
The latest development comes days after the Delhi High Court dismissed Bora’s petition challenging the peace-bond notice on October 23.
The High Court held that sufficient material was available before the SEM to initiate preventive proceedings under Sections 126 and 130 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). However, it also directed the authorities to provide Bora with the material relied upon and asked the SEM to ensure that the principles of natural justice were followed before passing an order requiring her to furnish a bond.
A peace bond is a preventive legal undertaking intended to help maintain public peace. The proceedings do not, by themselves, amount to a criminal conviction.
What Led To The Peace-Bond Proceedings?
The case stems from Bora’s detention on October 16 during a protest march at Mandi House. AISA activists were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Following her release the next morning, Delhi Police initiated preventive proceedings. The notice cited allegations including sloganeering at Mandi House, demonstrations near Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders and claims that Bora encouraged people to join a protest in Connaught Place.
Bora has opposed the demand for a peace bond, arguing that its use against protesters could affect the right to democratic dissent. She has said she will not sign the bond under its current interpretation and intends to continue challenging the proceedings.
The November 20 hearing is expected to take up the matter after the requested FIR documents are provided and the defence gets an opportunity to respond.