BENGALURU: Bengaluru Police have registered an FIR against a young woman for allegedly displaying posters supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, both accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots case during a protest over the alleged NEET examination irregularities at Freedom Park. The case has been registered based on a complaint filed by a woman police officer who was on security duty during the demonstration.
According to police, the FIR has been booked at Upparpet Police Station under provisions relating to acts allegedly intended to provoke unrest and disturb public order. Investigators have begun examining video footage, photographs and witness statements to determine the circumstances under which the controversial placards were displayed.
The incident occurred during the NEET protest held at Freedom Park on Friday, where students and activists had gathered to demand accountability over the alleged examination paper leak and irregularities in the national medical entrance examination. While the demonstration initially focused on student issues, the appearance of posters supporting Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam shifted attention away from the protest’s original objective and triggered widespread political and public debate.
Police said the woman displayed placards carrying slogans in support of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. Another placard reportedly carried the words “Ukhad Le BLR Police,” which police considered objectionable. Security personnel stationed at the venue immediately intervened, removed the posters and ensured that the situation did not escalate.
Eyewitnesses said the woman’s action was not welcomed by many of the protesters themselves. Several students participating in the agitation reportedly questioned the relevance of the placards, stating that the protest was meant to highlight issues concerning the NEET examination and not unrelated political matters. They allegedly asked the woman to leave the protest venue, arguing that such slogans diverted attention from the concerns of students seeking justice over the examination controversy.
Following the incident, a woman police officer who was deployed as part of the security arrangements lodged a formal complaint at Upparpet Police Station. Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR alleging that the display of the posters had the potential to provoke public disorder and disturb communal harmony. Officials said the legal provisions invoked would be examined further as the investigation progresses.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok accused the Congress government of allowing the student movement to be diverted by unrelated political agendas. He questioned the relevance of slogans supporting persons facing trial in the Delhi riots case during a protest centred on alleged NEET irregularities.
Ashok alleged that what began as a peaceful movement demanding transparency in the examination process had been “hijacked” by groups pursuing unrelated ideological objectives. He also claimed there were attempts to prevent sections of the media from highlighting the controversial posters and urged the state government to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.
According to police sources, officers reviewed photographs and video recordings from the protest before initiating legal action. Investigators are also examining whether the display of the placards was an individual act or part of a coordinated effort.
Officials emphasised that the investigation would be conducted strictly in accordance with the law. They said all relevant evidence, including digital material and witness accounts, would be examined before taking further action. No arrests had been reported in connection with the case at the time of filing this report.
