Delhi’s Patiala House Court delivered a key verdict on Friday, releasing all 14 JNU students arrested over campus protests on bail. The decision hinged on the court’s finding that none of the accused qualify as career criminals or repeat offenders.
The hearing turned intense as Delhi Police pushed back against bail, demanding judicial custody to deepen the investigation. Officers warned of potential renewed violence, classifying the JNU event as aggressive rather than peaceful. Details emerged of skirmishes leaving police personnel hurt and underscoring the protesters’ history—four prior FIRs for similar forceful actions.
A compelling moment came when a student testified about being manhandled by unidentified men without uniforms, resulting in hand injuries and clotting. Her account highlighted the protest’s volatile undercurrents.
Advocates for the students promised unwavering cooperation with authorities, ready to submit formal guarantees. They challenged the police narrative, positioning the group as committed activists, not thugs.
The judge didn’t mince words: assaults on law enforcers demand strict accountability, beyond any protest pretext. Yet, with penalties capped at five years and no hardened criminal profiles, bail was sanctioned at 25,000 rupees personal surety. This outcome reignites discussions on campus freedoms, police responses, and the thin line between dissent and disorder in India’s premier universities.