A 20-year-old student of Gautam Buddha University (GBU) was served a show-cause notice on September 4 by the Greater Noida Commissionerate for allegedly spreading anti-government propaganda and inciting university students to join the Jantar Mantar protests. The notice was withdrawn the same day, according to police sources. The notice also required the student, Akshat Tripathi, to show cause as to why he should not be bound by a personal bond of ₹5 lakh.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Greater Noida, Ravi Shanker confirmed to The Hindu that the notice was served under sections 126 and 135 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These sections are preventive and used when there is suspicion that a person may cause a breach of peace. The notice was withdrawn after an inquiry, and it was found that Mr. Tripathi was in his hometown at the time of the notice.

Mr. Tripathi, a second-year BA L.L.B student, said he received the notice from Sub-Inspector Shiva Pandey at 8 p.m. on September 4. He denied the allegations, stating he was not on campus during the university shutdown and could not have incited other students. He is the Unit Secretary for Students’ Federation of India (SFI) at GBU and has been active in various student movements, including the 'School Bachao Movement' and protests against the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.

The notice, issued by the Executive Magistrate III, Greater Noida Commissionerate, cited a police report alleging that Mr. Tripathi was spreading anti-government propaganda and inciting other students to join the CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) protests. The report claimed there was a strong possibility of the protest causing a breach of peace. SI Pandey, who served the notice, said it was withdrawn and that they were trying to inform Mr. Tripathi of the revocation.

Mr. Tripathi said his family received a call from the police on September 8 stating the notice was revoked, but he had not received a written revocation. SFI condemned the UP police for targeting students involved in peaceful protests, stating that Mr. Tripathi was part of the student movement that raised questions about paper leaks. SFI plans to file a writ petition against the notice, citing Supreme Court directions against coercive action against students.

The CJP Spokesperson, Saurav Das, responded on X, stating that all protesters have permanent immunity from legal action for their participation in CJP protests and that Mr. Tripathi need not execute a bail bond of ₹5 lakh. The CJP also called on the Union Government to act on the Supreme Court ruling granting immunity to Jantar Mantar protesters.

What remains unknown is the exact nature of the police report that led to the notice, the full details of the inquiry that resulted in its revocation, and whether the revocation was communicated to Mr. Tripathi in writing. The legal team of SFI is awaiting further information before proceeding with the writ petition.