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The protest on Sunday at India Gate and Kartavya Path led to the detention of 23 students, who were later taken outside the Parliament Street police station

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Delhi Police on Friday re-arrested eight students shortly after they were granted bail in connection with a protest against air pollution in the national capital, The Indian Express reported.

The protest on Sunday at India Gate and Kartavya Path led to the detention of 23 students, who were later taken outside the Parliament Street police station. Two separate first information reports (FIRs) were filed — one at Kartavya Path police station against six individuals and another at Parliament Street police station against 17 individuals.

The FIRs initially included charges under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assault, obstructing public servants, and outraging the modesty of women. On Tuesday, the Kartavya Path FIR was amended to include charges related to statements prejudicial to national integration, The Indian Express reported.

On Friday, Judicial Magistrate First Class Sahil Monga granted bail to nine students in the Parliament Street case. “The concerns regarding absconding or tampering with evidence can be addressed by imposing reasonable conditions,” Monga was quoted as saying by the newspaper. He added that the investigation did not require the accused to remain in jail.

Shortly after, eight of the nine students were re-arrested and sent to seven days of judicial custody, according to Hindustan Times. Seven others, who were already in judicial custody in the Parliament Street case and had not been granted bail, were also arrested in the second FIR, The Indian Express reported.

Police alleged that the students had used criminal force against personnel and shouted pro-Maoist slogans during the India Gate protest. Some demonstrators allegedly used pepper spray, displayed posters, and shouted slogans hailing Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, who was killed in a recent gunfight with security forces.

The protest on November 23 was organised by environmental research group Himkhand, student group Bhagat Singh Chatra Ekta Manch, and discussion forum Scientists for Society. Scientists for Society said on November 24 that it participated only on pollution-related issues and that the protest was “not the appropriate forum” to discuss Hidma’s killing.

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