17 Protesters Sentenced to 3-Day Judicial Custody Following Delhi Air Pollution Demonstration

Protestors allegedly deployed pepper spray against police officers during their removal from the demonstration site.

New Delhi:

On Monday, a Delhi court placed 17 individuals in three-day judicial custody after their arrest on allegations of impeding police operations and assaulting officers during an air pollution protest at India Gate.

The accused face multiple charges under the BNS at Sansad Marg police station, including disobedience of official orders, assault or criminal force against public servants, obstruction of public servants performing their duties, conspiracy against the State, and wrongful restraint.

Judicial Magistrate Sahil Monga ordered the three-day incarceration despite Delhi Police requesting a 14-day judicial custody period.

The Sunday protest intensified when certain demonstrators reportedly used pepper spray on police personnel during their removal from the location.

"The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, and some protesters employed pepper spray against our officers, which is both unusual and uncommon," stated a Delhi Police representative.

In a related case concerning the same protest, Delhi Police informed another court that five protesters arrested for allegedly using pepper spray on police personnel were chanting slogans supporting Maoist leader Madvi Hidma.

Judicial Magistrate Aridaman Singh Cheema presided over proceedings against these five students, who face an FIR at Kartavya Path police station under various BNS provisions, including charges of assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.

The judicial magistrate ordered two days' judicial custody for these five protesters. Additionally, the court sent one person to an observation home pending age verification.