NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday sent another 17 protesters to three-day judicial custody in connection with the November 23 demonstration at India Gate against rising air pollution levels, police said, as the total number of arrests linked to the protest rose to 22.Earlier today, Delhi Police arrested at least 15 people on charges of obstructing its personnel and assaulting them, besides blocking the road during a protest at the India Gate over rising air pollution levels in the national capital, an official told PTI. Officials said the group was detained for allegedly obstructing police personnel, assaulting them and blocking the road during the protest.
According to Delhi Police, two FIRs have been registered, one at Sansad Marg police station and another at Kartavya Path police station, under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to outraging the modesty of women.Police said the situation escalated on Sunday evening after a confrontation broke out while demonstrators were being removed from the site. “The situation then turned into a scuffle, and some protesters used pepper spray on our personnel, which is unusual and rare,” a police officer said. He added that the accused were produced before court on Monday.Authorities said the protest was held without permission at a non-designated site. “India Gate is not a designated protest site. The protesters were asked to leave. Jantar Mantar is the designated protest site, and anyone can demonstrate there after obtaining permission. On Sunday, the protesters blocked the C-Hexagon after jumping police barricades. They sat on the road for over an hour, and even people stuck in the traffic jam were requesting them to clear the way,” the officer said.He added that the protesters misbehaved with police. “Many police personnel sustained injuries during the scuffle and were rushed to RML Hospital for treatment. We are investigating the entire matter and checking CCTV footage to identify everyone involved,” he said.Police said they are also examining allegations that some protesters raised slogans in support of Maoist leader Madvi Hidma.Meanwhile, the Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air said the city’s worsening air quality has become a “serious risk” to public health. It alleged that the government is relying on “cosmetic measures” instead of addressing root causes, claiming PM2.5 levels have remained in the “severe” category.In a separate hearing, a Delhi court on Monday sent five students to two-day judicial custody in a related case registered at Kartavya Path police station over the alleged use of pepper spray on police officials during the protest. Judicial Magistrate Aridaman Singh Cheema also sent one accused to an observation home until age verification.The five students sent to judicial custody were identified as Akash, Ahan, Akshay, Sameer and Vishnu. Police have invoked sections 74, 115(2), 221 and 223 of the BNS for assault, causing hurt, obstruction of public servants and disobedience of lawful orders.