‘Detention may not have been authorised’: HC orders release of 7 protesters in Goa

The High Court of Bombay at Goa released seven protesters detained at Azad Maidan in Panaji following a habeas corpus petition. The court deemed their detention potentially unauthorized, citing a lack of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS. The protest was organized by a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) affiliate in Goa, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Police had detained the protesters after their application for a gathering was rejected by the Collector of North Goa on October 9. Among those released were protest organizer Amreen Shaikh and Panaji councillor Jack Sukhija. The court further stipulated that if the released individuals agree to a medical examination, they would be examined and a report submitted to the court during the upcoming hearing. The case was set for further discussion on Monday.