NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday sent six persons, to three-day police custody after a protest against air pollution at the India Gate turned violent on Sunday.
The police alleged that 10 police personnel were allegedly attacked with pepper spray during the protest over poor air quality. The police also told the court that they are probing naxal links as the protesters raised pro-naxal slogans.
DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla, appearing before Judicial Magistrate First Class Aridaman Singh Cheema of Patiala House Courts seeking seven days of police custody of the six accused said that Madvi Hidma (dead Maoist commander) killed 76 CRPF personnel and the accused were raising slogans for him
"Some of the accused persons blocked Man Singh Road on November 9. There is an FIR in that regard as well. So, it won't be right to say this is the first time they're involved," said the police officer.
Total 23 students were arrested and two FIRs were lodged.
Meanwhile, alleging torture in police custody, the accused have moved bail applications, which will be heard after three days.
The FIRs were lodged under charges related to assault, obstruction of public servants and outraging the modesty of women of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The prosecution told the court that Radical Students Union (RSU) is a banned organisation which it was the frontal organisation and the accused have praised them on social media
"Free speech is allowed but there are restrictions to free speech. We found three pepper sprays. We need to send mobile phones for examination at FSL," said the police officer.
While 17 protesters were arrested in connection to the FIR lodged at Parliament Street police station, six were arrested in the case registered at Kartavya Path police station.
Those named in the FIR include atleast seven Delhi University students – six reportedly associated with the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM) and one with Himkhand, an environmental research and action collective.
Opposing the prosecution's submissions, counsel for the accused told the court that none of them were a part of any banned organisation and the allegations are vague, misleading.
"Slogans can be anti-establishment but these can't be a ground for police custody. There are bruise marks on these students," said the counsel.
"Only in the trial can we see bona fide intention. Investigation will have to take place," the court said in this.
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