New Delhi: Aides of All India Students’ Association (AISA) chief Neha Bora on Friday alleged that Delhi Police took her to an undisclosed location after detaining her while she was on her way to participate in the proposed “Lehra Do Tiranga” protest in the national capital.
A post on Bora’s X account said she had been detained alone and did not have her phone with her. The post questioned the police over her whereabouts and described the incident as “once again, an abduction”.
Bora was detained near Mandi House shortly after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke was picked up from his residence in Jhandewalan. Both were reportedly heading towards the protest, which drew hundreds of demonstrators to Connaught Place and Mandi House amid heavy police deployment.
The detentions led to jostling among protesters, media crews and security personnel as authorities tightened security across the capital. A senior police officer confirmed that Bora and Dipke had been detained, while police said their primary objective was to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement.
Aides question Bora’s whereabouts
The uncertainty surrounding Bora’s location became a central concern after the post from her X account alleged that she had been taken away without her phone.
“Neha Bora detained alone, taken to unknown location,” the post said, adding that she did not have her phone with her.
“Delhi Police must answer: where is Neha?” the message asked, describing the detention as “once again, an abduction”.
The allegation raised questions about where Bora had been taken and whether her aides had been informed of her location. The information available in the initial reports did not establish her whereabouts after the detention.
The term “abduction” was used by Bora’s aides to describe the incident. It was not an independently established finding about the circumstances of her detention.
A senior Delhi Police officer confirmed that Bora and Dipke had been detained. However, the police statement cited in the report did not clarify where Bora was being held.
Abhijeet Dipke detained at his residence
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke was detained earlier in the day after more than 20 Delhi Police personnel visited his residence in Jhandewalan.
According to the report, the police served Dipke with a notice directing him to refrain from any action that could prejudice the rights of citizens, traders, commuters, patients and other members of the public.
Dipke was subsequently taken to Jafarpur Kalan police station, police sources told news agency PTI.
His detention came as police prepared for the proposed “Lehra Do Tiranga” protest. Bora was detained at Mandi House a short while later, as both leaders were reportedly travelling towards the demonstration.
The police action preceded a series of flash protests in central Delhi, where demonstrators gathered with national flags despite the extensive security arrangements.
The precise legal grounds for both detentions were not detailed in the information available in the report.
Police say situation remained peaceful
A senior police officer confirmed the detention of both leaders and said the situation remained peaceful.
“We have detained Dipke and Bora. The situation is very peaceful. Some protesters have reached Connaught Place and will be removed soon. Our main objective is to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement,” the officer said.
The statement indicated that the police were focused on preventing disruptions and managing the gathering in central Delhi.
However, the officer’s remarks did not address the concerns raised by Bora’s aides about her location or the absence of her phone.
The lack of clarity on that point remained significant because the post from her account specifically asked the police to disclose where she had been taken.
Heavy security across Connaught Place
Delhi Police deployed a substantial security force around Connaught Place as protesters gathered in the area.
Security personnel cordoned off Central Park, forming a human chain along its metal railings to restrict access. A tear gas vehicle and a Vajra vehicle were stationed outside the park, while Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed inside.
Traffic police personnel were also positioned along Connaught Place’s inner and outer circles to regulate vehicle movement and prevent congestion.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited the DCP New Delhi office at Parliament Street police station to review the security arrangements.
The deployment reflected the authorities’ preparations to manage demonstrations at several locations in the capital, including Connaught Place and Mandi House.
Protesters gather with national flags
Hundreds of people, including members of CJP and student organisations, gathered at Connaught Place and Mandi House for a series of flash protests.
Demonstrators waved the national flag amid the heavy police presence. The gatherings took place as police sought to control access to Central Park and manage movement through one of the capital’s busiest commercial areas.
The detentions of Bora and Dipke added to tensions between demonstrators and security personnel. Jostling was reported among protesters, camera crews and police during the operation.
The police maintained that the situation was peaceful and that their focus was on law and order and traffic management.
Questions remain over Bora’s detention
The immediate issue following Bora’s detention was the lack of confirmed information about where she had been taken.
Her aides publicly demanded an answer from Delhi Police, while the police officer’s statement confirmed the detention without providing a location for Bora.
The episode also brought attention to the police response ahead of the proposed protest, including the notice served on Dipke and the deployment of security personnel across central Delhi.
Further clarification from the police would be needed to establish Bora’s location after the detention and the legal basis for the action.
For now, the available information confirms that Delhi Police detained Bora and Dipke ahead of the proposed “Lehra Do Tiranga” protest. The claim that Bora was taken to an unknown location comes from her aides, while the police have confirmed the detention but have not, in the account cited, disclosed where she was being held.