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Mukherjee Nagar Harassment Case: 3 Suspects Identified, Two Arrested

By DU Beat September 26, 2026

Two DU students have been arrested, while a law student remains at large, in connection with the alleged harassment and stalking of two female students in Mukherjee Nagar.

In a development in the case involving the alleged stalking and sexual harassment of two Delhi University (DU) students by a group of men in an SUV in Mukherjee Nagar, police have found at least three suspects to be from the same university.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West), Akanksha Yadav, said, “The suspect driving the SUV has been identified as Naman, a student of DU’s Faculty of Law. We learnt that two more DU students were inside the vehicle, a white Tata Safari. We have seized the SUV and are conducting raids to apprehend the suspects. They will be questioned to ascertain if more than three people were involved.”

As has been reported by the police, the woman alleged verbal abuse, passing of indecent remarks, followed by stalking and misbehaviour from the suspects. According to a video circulated online from earlier this week, the victim has clarified that she and her friend were returning from Vijay Nagar when the incident occurred. She further claimed that an SUV pulled up, the people inside rolled down the windows, and proceeded to make inappropriate remarks. When the women asked them to stop misbehaving and leave, the occupants reportedly hurled further abuse, made indecent remarks, and began following them.

The woman has also said, “...when we tried to record a video, the car stopped, and the occupants tried to drag us inside. But when my friend took out her phone, they fled. We first went to Maurice Nagar police station, where the police personnel told us the place where the incident occurred did not come under their jurisdiction and referred us to another police station. We visited three stations…but no FIR was registered. From our sources, we identified one of the occupants. He had threatened us by claiming to be a relative of a Station House Officer (SHO)”

According to a report by NDTV, two of the accused, Abhinav and Abhimanyu were arrested on Friday, while the third accused, Naman is currently on the run. Police are also looking into the student’s allegation that she and her friend had approached multiple police stations before the complaint was registered.

Image Credits: NDTV

Chandrani

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Campus Central

DU students allegedly stalked, eve-teased in North Delhi

By DU Beat September 24, 2026

DU students allege harassment by a group of men near Hakikat Park in Mukherjee Nagar; Delhi Police probe underway.

Two Delhi University (DU) students, pursuing their first year of postgraduate studies, were allegedly stalked and sexually harassed by men driving an SUV. This disgraceful incident occurred near the Hakikat Park in north Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar area on Wednesday night. According to an official statement by the Delhi Police, the two women were also allegedly abused, subjected to eve-teasing and targeted with indecent remarks by the men before they fled the scene.

The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Mukherjee Nagar police station, with the investigation being overseen by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akansha Yadav. She stated, “Police launched an enquiry based on the complaint and have traced the car allegedly used in the incident. We have identified the four alleged accused, and teams are conducting raids to arrest them.”

According to the complaints, the incident took place near Hakikat Park around 9:30 PM. While the two women were walking, at least four men in an SUV got into a verbal altercation with them, allegedly over not providing enough passage to their vehicle on the street.

“During the altercation, the men allegedly verbally abused the women and made some indecent remarks. They allegedly even followed the women and misbehaved with them before leaving the area,” reported a senior police officer, who pleaded anonymity.

Police have successfully traced the car, including its registration number and the name of its registered owner. Following the completion of the initial inquiry, DCP Akansha Yadav stated, “During the enquiry, the car bearing registration number DL11CF4447, a Safari allegedly involved in the incident, was traced to its registered owner. It was revealed that one Naman was driving the vehicle, accompanied by two or three other persons. We have registered a case and are trying to nab the suspects. Further investigation is in progress.” Naman is reportedly a student of the Faculty of Law at Delhi University.

After the identification of the suspects, Delhi Police has undertaken strict judicial measures and impended FIRs under sections 78, 79 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The alleged sexual harassment of the two DU students took place two days after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped at gunpoint by three men inside Aastha Kunj Park in South Delhi. In light of these demeaning incidents occurring in Delhi, over the last few weeks, has brought up significant levels of debates and insecurities about public safety and especially the security of women in the capital city. The police and the administration have been put under a lot of speculation and scrutiny by the civilians and even the opposition, as these organisations still quest to provide answers to the public and justice to the victims.

Image Credit: Times Now

Rajarshi Ghosh

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Campus Central

Delhi Police and Housing Association Flag 56 PGs in North Campus After Satya Niketan Collapse

By DU Beat September 19, 2026

Delhi Housing Association and Police flag and summon 56 PG owners in North Campus along with documents for security risks and safety hazards.

Post the collapse in Satya Niketan, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been proactive in striking out strict regulations for PGs and other forms of housing accommodations. Delhi Police have served notices to at least 56 paying guest (PG) accommodations in Kamla Nagar, Malka Ganj, and Bungalow Road, directing operators to submit building, fire, and safety records as part of an audit following the Satya Niketan building collapse.

These neighbourhoods are among the most populous student accommodation hubs near the north campus area in North Delhi. These notices were issued by the Roop Nagar Police Station, seeking sanctioned building plans and occupancy records.

According to police officers, this procedure is part of a wider exercise to identify unauthorised constructions, overcrowding and serious safety lapses across these student neighbourhoods. The action follows the collapse of a five-storey PG in Satya Niketan on September 6 that killed seven people, including five DU students.

According to a notice issued by the Station House Officer accessed by The Tribune, PG operators and owners have been asked to summon and present ownership and development records of their accommodations and valid clearances from civic agencies. These include the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Police.

The notices further seek details of fire-safety arrangements, including fire-safety certificates, firefighting equipment, emergency exits, staircases and escape routes. Under structural and fire safety requirements, police have sought a “valid fire safety certificate/fire NOC”, along with the “sanctioned building plan”, “site/floor plan” and “occupancy/completion certificate”. Operators have also been asked to submit the “latest structural safety/stability certificate, ALL WHEREVER APPLICABLE”.

Currently, the Delhi Police are reviewing and flagging unauthorised modifications and unchecked expansions in student living areas. The notice supports the permission for “any additional floor, basement, mezzanine, room, terrace or other portion being used for accommodation or any other commercial activity”.

For women’s safety, PG owners housing female students in North Campus have been asked to provide details of female caretakers. Where no female warden or caretaker is deployed, the notice requires owners or managers to submit a written declaration identifying the person responsible for safety, assistance and emergency response during each shift. The audit also covers security arrangements, with owners asked to provide details of CCTV cameras and security guards, as well as a “self-attested Xerox copy of the complete Visitor Register for the preceding 15 days”.

As per the notice, Delhi Police has warned that failure to comply with the current conditions could lead to seizure, and civic agencies might seal the accommodations instantly. A police officer familiar with the exercise claimed that a large majority of PG operators in the area lacked the required paperwork.

“About 95% of them do not have the required documents or are not compliant with safety norms. We are going case by case and deciding the course of action.”

The police exercise has carried out a separate pan-Delhi survey by the MCD. The civic body identified 52 dilapidated buildings operating as PGs on the first day of its survey and has so far identified 1,120 PG units housing 20,481 people.

The survey and flagging exercise being undertaken by the housing and security departments of Delhi illustrates the grave underdevelopment and lack of infrastructural wellness in student accommodations across the whole city. Thousands of students live with these fatal security risks every day. With the measures being taken by officials and the government’s promise to create accommodations for 10000 students of Delhi University, students and their potential may finally be relieved.

Image Credits: PTI

Rajarshi Ghosh

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Police Arrests Two Suspects after Encounter near Zakir Husain Delhi College

By DU Beat May 10, 2026

Late at night, on 9th May, police shot and arrested two wanted criminals who were allegedly involved in the Karol Bagh shooting incident that occurred two weeks prior.

Alleged criminals, identified as Sahil and Avinash, were arrested after an encounter with the Delhi Police. The incident occurred late at night on 9th May, near Gate 3 of Zakir Husain Delhi College on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg. Both the accused are speculated to be involved in the recent Karol Bagh shooting incident, where gunshots were fired in broad daylight on the 24th of April, by unidentified individuals, injuring one person. This prompted a manhunt, leading the Delhi Police Special Staff team to Sahil and Avilash, under the leadership of Central District DCP, Rohit Rajbir. They had been on the Delhi Police’s list of most wanted criminals for several days due to their suspected involvement in the Karol Bagh shooting case.

According to the Delhi Police, the Special Staff received specific intelligence inputs suggesting that those involved in the Karol Bagh shooting incident would likely visit the area around Zakir Hussain Delhi College on the night of May 9th. The reasons for their visit remain unclear, even to the police, with officers speculating the criminals were in the area either to meet an associate(s) or to commit further offences.

A Delhi Police vehicle and a motorcyclist on a road near Zakir Husain Delhi College at night after a police encounter. — Image Source: X (@ians_india)

Upon receiving the information, surveillance around the college premises and adjoining roads was intensified, and police had set a trap for the criminals. According to officials, the accused tried to resist arrest and escape police custody, opening fire on police personnel. Police say that nearly 10 rounds were shot in the encounter. In an act of defence, the police fired at both Sahil and Avinash, injuring both criminals in the legs, before overpowering them and arresting them on the spot.

The injured criminals were immediately taken to Lok Nayak Hospital, where they are currently admitted and are receiving treatment. Both the accused are currently under police supervision. Investigators were able to recover illegal firearms and live cartridges from the scene, likely used by the accused during the exchange of fire with the Delhi Police. Further investigations have been launched to ascertain the criminal backgrounds of the accused and confirm allegations of connections with illegal gangs and criminal groups operating within the city. The motive behind the Karol Bagh incident and any plans of future attack, particularly in the central Delhi region, is being probed by investigators.

Image Source: du_public on instagram

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Kerala Students at DU Allege Police Brutality and Humiliation After Clash near Red Fort

By DU Beat October 3, 2025

Two Kerala students from Delhi University alleged mob assault, police brutality, cultural humiliation, and extortion near the Red Fort. MP John Brittas demanded an inquiry, while police cited contradictory hawker testimonies disputing claims.

Two students from Kerala were subjected to violence and false accusations of theft last week near the Red Fort area. These students were from their 1st year of undergraduate studies at Delhi University’s Zakir Hussain Delhi College. Taking action on the incident, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Satish Golcha, Delhi Police Commissioner. He demanded an investigation into what he termed “an inhuman attack, custodial assault and cultural humiliation”.

The letter stated that the students – identified as Aswanth I T and Sudhin K – were rudely confronted by a group of scoundrels on September 24th and falsely accused of theft. The letter alleged,

Instead of extending protection, the policemen colluded with the mob… The students were dragged, beaten with fibre lathis, stomped upon, stripped and humiliated in the most degrading manner.”

The letter further informed that their footwear and phones were seized non-consensually. They were allegedly coerced into false confessions, and one of them was mocked for wearing a mundu, a traditional Kerala attire. The MP described the incident as “custodial brutality” and an “affront to the cultural and linguistic diversity enshrined in our Constitution.” The CPI(M) MP demanded a robust inquiry to find the culprits as well as the return of the belongings of the victims.

Police have responded by stating that an inquiry has been enforced based on the allegations. However, they have been presented with different and contradictory testimonies of the incident. DCP (North) Raja Banthia said,

We have ordered an enquiry into their allegations. However, hawkers have alleged that they came five-six days ago and purchased goods worth Rs 14,000. They paid Rs 4,000 in cash and showed an online payment of Rs 10,000, which was not actually made. When they came again on the 24th, the hawkers identified them, and a scuffle took place.”

Some hawkers brought the two students to the Red Fort police after allegedly thrashing them in the market, according to a source of the police. DCP Banthia said,

“The matter was settled, and both parties left. There was no PCR call or complaint or any representation to supervisory officers regarding this incident by the two students. As far as the allegations of beating by police personnel are concerned, nothing has been substantiated till now. But we are further enquiring into the matter”

However, Sudhin, one of the victims, has another side to tell:

Instead of helping us, he slapped both of us multiple times and made us sit on our knees in front of all the people. He took my friend’s phone and gave it to the locals. My friend’s phone was an iPhone, and he tried to take back the phone and run, but he was beaten a lot and dragged to a police booth.”

He further added, “Another police officer, an ASI [assistant sub-inspector], started hitting us. He removed our lungi and started hitting us and kicking us on our faces and private parts with his boots. We have been in Delhi for a month and did not know Hindi very well.” He said that when his friend struggled to speak, the ASI kicked him, saying, “Talk in Hindi,” Mr Sudhin said. “It is still difficult for him to eat food even now.” He said the police officers at the booth also made fun of them for wearing lungis.

Mr Sudhin was allegedly tortured at the police booth and was coerced into accepting the charges and making a settlement of Rs. 20,000.

Image Source– Just Dial

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bsCEM Student Activist Gurkirat Detained by Delhi Police on 16th July: Released Later Same Day

By DU Beat July 18, 2025

Student activist Gurkirat was detained by Special Cell, Delhi Police on July 16, 2025 and released a few hours later, at 10 pm. Her custody and several other missing comrades have raised serious concerns regarding the status of student dissent in India.

Comrade Gurkirat, a Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM) student activist, was detained on July 16 2025, and kept in custody by Delhi Police at New Friends Colony Police Station. She was allegedly picked up by the Special Cell, without an official reason being given.

Gurkirat is a vocal member of bsCEM, a left-wing student organization that has been involved in political demonstrations on campuses throughout Delhi. She has previously spoken out against state oppression, caste violence, and students’ rights through social media.

The initial word of Gurkirat’s detention arrived via an Instagram reel on the official bsCEM Instagram account:

Comrade Gurkirat has been taken by a special branch of Delhi police and has been kept in The New Friends Colony police station, Delhi. Comrades Gaurav and Gauraang have also been missing for a while now. We request all progressive, democratic minded individuals to come to the police station and demand Comrade Gurkirat’s immediate and unconditional release.”

A few hours later, another story on their Instagram account said that Comrade Gurkirat was released by Delhi Police.

On July 17, bsCEM released a statement via Instagram claiming that several other activists are also missing and likely in illegal custody of the Delhi Police. The missing individuals include:

Etmam Ul Haque (FACAM) Member
Baadal (FACAM) Member
Gauraang (bsCEM)
Gaurav (bsCEM)
Vallika Varshi (Nazariya Magazine)
Samrat Singh (Social Activist and Psychologist)

The reel said:

We came to know that other student Activists associated with bsCEM and FACAM members are also missing for the last one week. After knowing that comrade Samrat Singh and Gurkirat Kaur were picked up by Delhi police, now we are sure all activists are illegally arrested by Delhi police.”

News about Comrade Gaurav and Gauraang being released from the special branch police station at 7 PM and 10PM on 17th July has been shared by bsCEM.

This isn’t just about one student or one day. Over the years, student dissent in India has been increasingly treated with suspicion and hostility, no matter which government is in power. It’s part of a longer pattern where student dissent has often been met with police action. In recent years, students across India — from Jamia Millia Islamia to Jawaharlal Nehru University — have faced detentions, FIRs, and even violent crackdowns for protesting against government policies. These incidents highlight a worrying trend—where peaceful student-led actions, particularly those critical of state policies, are met with increasing surveillance, questioning, or detentions by law enforcement.

Featured Image Credits: Maktoob Media

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Students demanding concessional metro passes led by SFI-Delhi detained by Delhi Police

By DU Beat November 13, 2024

Despite receiving 60,000 signatures, SFI-Delhi’s campaign calling for concessional metro passes for students seems to have been ignored by central authorities. When the students took to the streets of Nirman Bhavan, peacefully protesting to showcase their demands, they were allegedly manhandled by the police and detained.

On Tuesday, November 12th, the Students Federation of India (SFI)—Delhi led a demonstration demanding concessional metro passes for students, which the Delhi Police cut short. The Delhi Police detained over 30 students, “manhandled” several others, and stopped them from continuing the demonstration. Moreover, SFI was denied the ability to address what they claimed to be basic demands through a delegation. Sooraj, President of SFI-Delhi stated:

It’s clear how threatened the authorities are by students, as they are even blocking our demand for something as basic as a metro pass.

The Delhi Police, on the other hand, refuted these allegations. A senior police officer told the Times of India that the students were told not to march in the area since it was reserved for VIPs:

We also told them to march in the Jantar Mantar area, but they did not listen.

Anamika, Joint Secretary Candidate at SFI, DUSU remarked,

It is a shame that while the Delhi Metro has been classified as the second-most expensive metro in the world, the government refuses to hear students, who are entitled to the city, just as much as all citizens.

The campaign started in 2022 with the DMRC slotting their demands for the fare fixation committee. The Delhi Transport Minister also met a delegation of SFI-Delhi in 2023 to further address this issue. Even now, despite having 60,000 signatures to their campaign, which eventually culminated in the protest, their demands were ignored.

Avijit, Vice President, JNUSU commented on this issue:

We are always willing to cooperate within reasonable limits. But this does not mean that the government cannot even allow us to send a delegation. Are they telling us that the voices of 60,000+ students mean nothing?

The allegedly “draconian” handling of these peaceful demonstrators is another strategy commonly employed by authoritarian, fascist regimes to stifle dissenting voices and deflect criticism, creating an illusion of a perfect governance system, the students further claimed.

Image Credits: SFI CEC via Instagram

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Delhi Police Detains Student Protestors at IPCW

By DU Beat March 30, 2023

On Wednesday, 29th March 2023, Delhi Police brutally detained student protestors calling for Delhi Police and the IPCW college administration to take accountability for the lack of repercussions towards the unidentified intruders at IPCW’s fest.

On 29 March 2023, the Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students Association (AISA) gathered around Indraprastha College for Women to protest against the incursion by unidentified men on the previous day, on the day of the college’s fest, demanding questions from the authorities for the same. The protest, which started at about 11 a.m., was interrupted by Delhi Police, and they started detaining the protestors hardly 20 minutes into the protest. There was a protest inside the college by the students of IPCW as well.

On 28 March 2023, during the annual fest of the college, several drunk men scaled the boundaries of the institution and harassed the women students. Students who were waiting at the entry gate formed a huge crowd on the verge of a stampede. Allegedly, there were no security measures in place except the gate not letting the people in. Soon enough, several men started causing havoc by climbing the trees and walls and jumping inside the premises.

The miscreants were screaming slogans of “jai shree ram” etc. and were hooted on by all other men in the crowd. One of the IPCW people (either someone from admin or security) jumped on the wall to calm everyone down and then the gates were opened to everyone, irrespective of whether they registered, or had student or govt ids, as a last-minute emergency action.,” – Molina Singh, a student who was in the crowd.

The drunk miscreants who allegedly smuggled alcohol and drugs inside the campus also took to hooliganism holding placards displaying obnoxious and vulgar slogans. Students present there reported use of slogans like, “Miranda nahi chhoda to IP bhi nahi chhodenge” (We didn’t leave Miranda so we won’t leave IP either), “We are single”, “Hindu ka yeh naara hain, IP college humara hain” (Hindu raises this slogan, IP college is ours). The harassment and vandalism continued while several women were escorted out by the organisers.

The miscreants wrote vulgar and obnoxious texts and flashed them to the female crowd

According to the students, the hooligans also tried to scale the walls of the IPCW hostel post which the entire college was locked down with students inside as per the instructions of the administration.

The harm was verbal. They also would not stop shouting slogans of a certain religion and grouping up, and they were approaching random friends of mine, or ogling others down. There were Dettol bottles in hands of volunteers who were nursing wounds, ambulances were called, and we heard that a certain man blacklisted on the first day of the fest due to harassment of students had entered again” – an attendant in conversation with DU Beat

The police personnel present there were not proactive in stopping the vandalism. While the police officials stated that an FIR was lodged against 7 men, the protestors sought a chargesheet of the same which was not provided.

Students, who assembled to protest the following day demanding answers from the administration, were manhandled. Students also reported being groped. Reportedly, some people were severely bruised due to the manhandling and then detained at Burari Police Station in an attempt to disrupt the protest. The detainees were later released.

After releasing us, they wanted to deport us back to IPCW so that the authorities could abuse us more but we refused and decided to walk out of the police station to go back by ourselves. We were extremely, violently manhandled and the police wanted our details even though they had no criminal proceedings against us,” – Titas Goswami, a third-year student from Miranda House in conversation with DU Beat

A press release, dated 29 March 2023, by the SFI DU stated, “Women are being harassed and mishandled inside the campus. When they decide to register their dissent against it, they are again harassed and mishandled by the police.”

It was reported by the volunteers of the fest, that a footfall of 10,000 people was expected. While the admin rejected the idea of having external security, the 20-21 students themselves were reportedly asked to control it. The miscreants were vandalising the walls and the admin allegedly asked for all gates to be shut down. The gates were only opened up for the car of a professor to be checked in when the pushing and shoving happened and that’s when the stampede started. Reportedly, people also tried to harass the professor inside the car and started piling and falling up.

Men started purposefully pushing the girls and then piling upon them, emerging with victorious smiles. Volunteers had to drag the girls out. People started panicking and there were no medical facilities available. One of our volunteers broke her leg in the stampede. Some girls had panic attacks while the men were trying to touch them inappropriately in the pretence of helping them.” – an anonymous member of the organising committee

After the ruckus volunteers were asked by the principal to escort the girls out. We were told to inform them that if they wanted to save their lives they must leave. And during the ruckus, the police instead started hitting our non-teaching staff volunteers and guards.” – an anonymous volunteer

A video of the principal alongside some identified Union members enjoying and dancing while this whole ruckus has also surfaced once making the students question the Accountability of the administration even more.

After the entire chaos happened, the administration gave permission to complete the fest with the remaining students. A video has also surfaced showing the principal dancing alongside some students.

Similar incidents have occurred most recently at Miranda House’s Diwali Fest and before at Gargi College’s Reverie 2020. The continuation of such occurrences makes it appear that fests at women’s institutions are in danger. Although the DU Administration and Police are skilled in detaining protesters past destruction, the lack of such security as preventive measures results in hazy situations.

Feature Image Credits: Unknown

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Campus Central

Students Detained by Delhi Police after NREGA Discussions

By DU Beat March 29, 2023

Several students and activists who had assembled to discuss the ‘attack’ on NREGA were unlawfully detained by the Delhi Police.

On 24th March, a peaceful discussion organized by ‘Collective’, a youth-led political organization at Arts Faculty, Gate No 4, Delhi University, on the subject – “Cutting NREGA, silencing people, Demanding right to work”, was disrupted by Delhi Police. This was followed by detention of several students and activists involved in the discussion.

There was heavy police deployment on campus owing to prior protests by students on debarment of two students on account of BBC documentary screening. Soon after the session commenced, the police barged in and disrupted the proceedings. The speakers, which included Jean Dreze (economist from Jharkhand ), Richa Singh (NREGA union activist from UP) and Com. Somnath (Jan Sangharsh Manch Haryana) were also held at Maurice Nagar Cyber Cell till eleven in the evening.

All the protocols were followed and the concerned security authorities including the nearby police station were informed. Right before the discussion began; the police demanded a written permission from the proctor – something that has never been required previously. The SHO then necessitated that the discussion would continue only if the use of mike was discarded, the assembly conceded. But, mere minutes after the introduction, the police imposed section 144, students were removed from the spot and some were taken in police vans”

– Sourya Majumder, the joint secretary of Collective, in conversation with DU Beat.

The police allegedly questioned the validity and importance of discussions on issues like NREGA in college spaces. They demanded that such matters which have nothing to do with the student body should not fall within the ambit of discussions on campus. Sourya claims the cops were condescending to the Collective members. Videos of police brutally dragging students into vans have also been circulating social media. At the police station as well, their behaviour was antagonistic.

The police was very xenophobic in their approach during interrogation. They were very brutal with the students and the mazdoor union activists. They took our aadhar number – something which has never been done before. An international student was also detained and was heckled by the police. They tried to threaten to take his visa, deport him. Sadly there has been an unfortunate degradation in the treatment of people who are detained” – Anandita, a member of Collective.

So far no FIR has been registered in this case. People have greatly condemned this incident, pointing out that it goes on to show the criminal infringement of the democratic rights of people to assemble peacefully and discuss critical issues.

Rubani Sandhu

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Two Arrests in Jamia: Joint Statement Issued

By DU Beat April 16, 2020

More than forty organisations and activists have signed a joint statement to come in support of the arrest of two students by the Delhi Police on charges of instigating communal riots and others, which the signatories deem as ‘trumped up’ and ‘baseless.’

On 14th April 2020, a joint statement signed by 48 organisations and activists, such as Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Association (FEDCUTA), Jamia Teachers’ Association (JTA), journalist Pamela Philipose, etc was issued, which served as a solidarity and support statement for two accused students, named Safoora Zargar and Meeran Haider, who were booked by the police for some criminal charges and involvement in the North East Delhi pogrom which started on 23rd February 2020 and caused massive destruction.

Majid Jamil, Secretary of JTA told DU Beat, “We issued a joint statement with FEDCUTA and many other organisations.” When asked upon details of the case he denied saying anything apart from what was issued in the joint statement. Professor Nandita Narayan, who is the former President of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and Ex-President of FEDCUTA also confirmed her solidarity with the accused students to DU Beat. She too denied any further details than what was expressed in the joint statement.

Accused Safoora Zargar, an M.Phil student at Jamia and a joint media coordinator of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) for movement against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Outlook reported that she was arrested on 11th April, Saturday. The Scroll report said that Zargar was accused of obstructing the road near the Jaffrabad metro station during the anti-CAA protests in the area.

Accused Meeran Haider is a resident of Jamia Nagar, and a Ph.D student at Jamia who is also the president of the Delhi unit of the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s youth wing. He was an active member of the protest. On 31 March, the Delhi Police’s special cell sent him a notice pertaining to “FIR no 59/2020.” The notice said, “In connection with the investigation, you are requested to join the investigation on 01.04.2020 at 10 AM at the office of Special Cell, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi.” It added, “If you fail to appear, appropriate legal action will be taken against you. This may be treated as urgent.” He was subsequently arrested. The Press Trust of India reported a statement from his lawyer, who said that he was arrested for “allegedly hatching a conspiracy to incite communal riots in northeast Delhi.” On 6 April, a Delhi court extended Haider’s police custody for another nine days. On 15 April, the court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.

According to the above mentioned joint statement the signers asked for attention from those who believed in democracy and secularism and highlighted the backdrop of what they believe is the historic anti CAA movement in which Jamia students and community women took to the front-line to defend their constitutional rights. They believe that post the peaceful withdrawal of the movement owing to the global spread of novel COVID-19, Delhi Police is picking on those who were active in the movement. The joint statement called the riots instigating charge as “trumped up” and other allegations as “baseless.”

The statement further asserted- “What is particularly worrying in this entire context is that Shrimati Safoora Zargar is pregnant and in this condition, she requires proper care and medical supervision. This kind of action during the lockdown due to the Coronavirus is a violation of their constitutional rights. We register our strong protest in this context and demand that the constitutional rights of the two arrested leaders, Shrimati Safoora Zargar, and Meeran Haider be respected and they be released forthwith.”

Instances of multiple arrests of anti CAA protestors from Jamia Nagar amidst the lockdown has surfaced, and constant picking up of activists who happen to be anti-establishment raises scepticism about intentional targeting of those certain groups.

Featured Image Credits: College Dunia

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