India Gate ‘pro-Maoist’ protest case
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Thursday told a court that most of the student protesters arrested for allegedly assaulting police personnel during last week’s demonstration at India Gate had intentionally provided incorrect addresses to conceal their identities.The police described the move as a “mockery of the law.”“It is very astounding that most of the accused before the court furnished incorrect addresses. The information sheets of several accused have been returned unverified by the local police. This shows they are not only making a mockery of the law but also deliberately concealing their identity,” the submission stated before Judicial Magistrate Sahil Monga at Patiala House court.The police further informed the court that on November 23, the day of the demonstration, some students gathered at the gate of the Parliament Street police station, launched “aggressive sloganeering” against the government, and blocked the entry and exit points of the facility.Out of the 17 accused, it sought five-day custody for five, arguing that more time was required to probe their alleged support for Maoists and banned organisations to uncover what it called a “deep-rooted conspiracy.” Opposing the plea, the defence counsel countered that the police had presented no material linking the students to any such activity and that custody could not be justified merely because their addresses were not verified.“What do they want to investigate? The probe can continue without custody. The accused cannot be put in custody just because the police could not verify their address,” the counsel asked.The court granted two-day police custody for four students — Gurkirat, Ravjot, Kranti and Abhinash — while sending the remaining 13 to one-day judicial custody.On November 23, a total of 23 students, including 11 women, were arrested after two FIRs were filed at the Kartavya Path and Parliament Street police stations. During the India Gate protest, which was organised to highlight Delhi’s worsening air pollution crisis, the group allegedly raised slogans in support of Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, who was recently killed in an encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh.They are also accused of using pepper spray on police personnel.(With PTI inputs)