Delhi Police Attempts to Arrest SFI Leader Aishe Ghosh, CPI(M) Condemns

Source: The Hindu Bureau, NEW DELHI

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) alleged that Delhi Police attempted to arrest its national joint secretary, Aishe Ghosh, in connection with a case dating back to a 2021 protest. Ghosh was one of the prominent faces of the recently concluded Jantar Mantar protest.

According to the SFI — the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] — its members resisted the arrest when police entered the party office at AKG Bhavan. Police later left without taking her into custody.

Police Statement

Sachin Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), stated that a local court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Ms. Ghosh in the 2021 case after she failed to appear on multiple occasions. The next hearing is scheduled for July 30.

"We were only following the court's orders," he said, without disclosing further details of the case.

SFI Response

In a statement, the SFI said:

"SFI national joint secretary Aishe, who was one of the leading student leaders of the recent wave of protests that resulted in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, is being subjected to witch-hunting by the Delhi police."

CPI(M) MP John Brittas Comments

Speaking to media, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas said:

"Today, Delhi Police officers barged into the office of the CPI(M), which is a national party. They wanted to take Aishe Ghosh into custody. She was one of the faces of the Jantar Mantar agitation. They say that there is a warrant against her, which relates to a 2021 case."

He added:

"I checked with the police, and they said that a warrant had been issued against her. The warrant was communicated over the phone. You cannot communicate a warrant over the telephone; it should be personally handed over. Now, they intend to send a message to all students who participated in the agitation."

Political Reaction

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said police had attempted to "forcibly enter the CPI(M) Central Committee office" to arrest Ms. Ghosh, following the SFI's active role in the Jantar Mantar protest.

He stated:

"Such blatant misuse of power reflects the BJP-led Union government's growing intolerance of dissent. This is a moment for everyone who believes in democracy to speak out. Attempts to intimidate and criminalise dissent must be resisted, and the constitutional right to protest must be defended."

Image: CPI(M) MP John Brittas speaks to police as they attempt to arrest SFI leader Aishe Ghosh at the party's office in New Delhi on July 28, 2026. (Source: X/@cpimspeak)