The Goa Police cited alleged violations of protest conditions and a demonstrator’s reported expression of support for activist Umar Khalid while opposing a gathering by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protesters at Azad Maidan in Panaji on Sunday, The Indian Express reported. The protest, organised by a CJP affiliate in Goa, sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Seven protesters were detained at Azad Maidan on Sunday evening. The Bombay High Court at Goa subsequently directed the police to release them after a habeas corpus petition was filed challenging their detention.
During the proceedings on Sunday night, the High Court observed that the detention “may not have been authorised” and directed the release of all seven protesters. Khalid, an activist and former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), is facing criminal conspiracy charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
According to The Indian Express, the police referred to the protesters’ alleged history of violating conditions imposed by the authorities. They also cited an incident during a protest at the same venue in July, in which a participant was accused of “patronising” Khalid.
The organisers had applied for permission to hold the October 11 gathering on October 7. However, an order issued by the office of the North Goa District Magistrate on October 9 rejected the application. The order stated that the decision was based on a report from the North Goa Superintendent of Police, who had not recommended permission for the public assembly.
In an affidavit submitted to the High Court on Monday, the police referred to a solidarity march held at Azad Maidan in July 2026. Hundreds of protesters had reportedly assembled at the venue to demand the resignation of then-Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
The affidavit alleged that the demonstrators had formed an unlawful assembly on July 20, 2026, and organised the protest without obtaining prior permission from the authorities. According to the police, the gathering was held under the pretext of expressing solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike.
The police cited the July demonstration as part of their account of previous instances in which protesters allegedly failed to comply with the conditions governing public assemblies. The reported reference to Khalid also featured in the reasons cited by the police for opposing the latest gathering. The activist remains an accused in the case related to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, in which communal violence claimed several lives. The charges against him are allegations and remain subject to judicial proceedings.
The detention of the seven protesters led to legal proceedings before the Bombay High Court at Goa. A habeas corpus petition was filed seeking their release, questioning the legality of the police action.
The court directed the police to release the protesters on Sunday night, observing that their detention “may not have been authorised”. The episode has brought renewed attention to the restrictions imposed on public gatherings and the grounds authorities cite when deciding whether to grant permission for demonstrations. In this case, the police relied on alleged violations during an earlier protest, while the organisers had sought approval for the October 11 gathering several days before it was scheduled to take place.
The developments followed the CJP affiliate’s call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with seven demonstrators detained after assembling at Azad Maidan despite the denial of permission.
