Delhi Court Grants Bail To JNU Student Protesters Detained During March Against Vice-Chancellor
New Delhi: The Patiala House Court on Friday granted bail to all students detained in connection with the Jawaharlal Nehru University protest case. The court directed each of the accused to furnish a bail bond of Rs. 25,000 and ordered verification of the bonds.
The bail orders follow the detention of several JNU students by Delhi Police on Thursday after a protest march led by the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) against Vice-Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit turned contentious. Police locked the university gates and erected barricades to prevent protesters from marching out, leading to a scuffle that resulted in multiple detentions.
On Friday, Delhi Police accused the student protesters of turning violent during the demonstration. “During the protest, barricades were damaged, and the demonstration turned violent. Protestors pelted banners and sticks, threw shoes, and even physically assaulted Delhi Police personnel, including biting. As a result, several police personnel were injured,” the police said in a statement.
According to police, protesters were contained at the university’s North Gate and gradually moved back inside the campus. “Those who became violent and did not obey lawful orders were detained. Further details will be shared in due course,” the statement added.
Police also stated that the JNUSU had called for a Long March from the JNU campus to the Ministry of Education despite being denied permission by the university administration. Around 400 to 500 students gathered and proceeded to march out of the main gate at approximately 3:20 PM, ignoring requests to remain within campus, the police said.
The JNUSU, however, condemned what it described as police brutality against the protesters, who were marching to the Ministry of Education with demands that included implementation of the Rohith Act and the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor. The student union also alleged that injured students were denied medical assistance.