CASR seeks probe into alleged misconduct during India Gate protest arrests

By A Representative 

The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a coalition of student groups, civil liberties organisations and mass movements, issued a statement on Tuesday alleging unlawful detention, mistreatment and custodial violations involving 23 individuals who participated in a protest against air pollution at India Gate.

According to the statement, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs—one at Kartavya Path Police Station and another at Parliament Street Police Station—following the demonstration. Under the first FIR, a court reportedly remanded five protesters to two days of judicial custody, while one individual was sent to a safe house pending age verification. Under the second FIR, 17 students were arrested and placed under three days of judicial custody.

CASR described the protesters as “peaceful” and alleged that several women were detained overnight, which the group said would be inconsistent with Supreme Court guidelines governing the detention of women. It also claimed that 4–5 students were taken to multiple police stations and subjected to severe mistreatment. The collective further said it had received allegations of sexual harassment against some women detainees and that lawyers attempting to meet the detained protesters were not allowed entry into police stations.

None of these claims could be independently verified as of press time. The Delhi Police have not yet issued an official response to the allegations.

The statement framed the protest as a response to worsening air quality in the capital and criticised what it described as the “suppression” of democratic expression. CASR demanded the immediate release of all detained protesters and called for an independent, time-bound inquiry into the allegations of custodial abuse, including claims of sexual harassment. The group also sought enforcement of legal safeguards, including access to counsel and compliance with rules regarding women’s detention.

The coalition urged authorities to prioritise public health measures to address Delhi's air pollution and to engage constructively with citizens raising environmental concerns.

The CASR organising team comprises several organisations, including AIRSO, AISF, APCR, ASA, BASF, Bhim Army, CEM, CRPP, CSM, DSU, DTF, NAPM, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, SFI, WSS, and others.