Delhi Court Cancels Non Bailable Warrants Against Student Leader Aishe Ghosh

A Delhi court on Thursday cancelled non bailable warrants issued against student leader Aishe Ghosh after she appeared in person before the court. Judicial Magistrate First Class Vijayshree Rathore of the Patiala House Court imposed a fine of 1,000 rupees on Ghosh before cancelling the warrants.

The case relates to a February 2021 protest held outside Bangla Bhavan. Ghosh was booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to criminal trespass, common intention, and disobedience of an order issued by a public servant. A chargesheet has already been filed in the matter, which is listed for further proceedings on November 21.

The court had stayed the warrants on Wednesday after Ghosh's legal counsel stated she was unable to attend previous hearings due to unavoidable circumstances. According to court records, multiple bailable warrants were issued starting in August 2024 before non bailable warrants were issued later.

The legal development follows a confrontation on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The party alleged that Delhi Police officers arrived in a private vehicle, with one officer not in uniform, to arrest Ghosh. The CPI(M) stated that officers left without making an arrest after being questioned by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas.

Outlets with a left lean frame the police action as a witch hunt and an assault on democratic rights by the government. Conversely, perspectives associated with a center right lean, including statements from Union Minister JP Nadda, frame the incident as the Delhi Police acting in accordance with rules, noting that student activists often face such legal situations.