Tale of two Nehas: Lookalike keeps cops busy as AISA chief protested elsewhere

A scarf, black-rimmed glasses and a mask — Delhi Police thought they had All India Students’ Association (AISA) chief Neha Bora. There was, however, just one problem: the woman they were chasing was not who they actually wanted.

In a dramatic twist during Sunday’s protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over SIR irregularities, a lookalike of the student leader appeared at RK Ashram, drawing the attention of police personnel who believed they had found the protest leader.

The real Neha, meanwhile, was protesting alongside fellow AISA supporters in Connaught Place, leaving the police caught up in a case of mistaken identity.

The drama began hours earlier when Bora teased her followers with a cryptic message: “Do I have your attention? Watch closely. Stay ready. Time & Venue incoming.”

Just hours later, she posted a video message announcing a gathering at RK Ashram at 2.30 pm, urging supporters to continue their movement to oust Kumar.

“See you there, don’t be late,” she said.

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At RK Ashram, the lookalike was taken into custody amid the confusion. Meanwhile, the real Bora was seen in Connaught Place as police chased protesters.

Bora later posted on X, announcing, “We have crossed the barricades and reached CP.”

The apparent case of mistaken identity soon became a talking point, with the AISA chief sharing a photograph of herself with her lookalike and writing: “The tale of the two Nehas. Not strategy, just coincidence.”

The AISA president was finally detained at Vijay Chowk.

Bora's supporters seized on the apparent mix-up, pointing to the scale of the security arrangements and surveillance deployed for the protest.

“Thousands of cops. Hundreds of surveillance tools. Lakhs of resources. And yet entire Delhi Police fooled by Neha Bora’s doppelganger,” one post said.

Another social media user said, "Fake Neha bora tricked Delhi police, and then arrives the real one. This frenzy is crazy."

"ICYMI, Neha Bora fooled the police with their lookalike being present in RK Puram and the police went after her, and that's how Neha was able to protest in CP today and was probably aiming to reach Jantar Mantar. Amazing," a post on X read.

On Sunday, more than over 200 protesters were detained as they raised slogans and marched towards Jantar Mantar, with several seen being dragged into police buses.

Members of student organisations, including AISA, the Students' Federation of India (SFI), and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), along with CJP supporters, were detained at multiple locations, particularly Connaught Place and RK Ashram Marg, as they attempted to reach Jantar Mantar. Detentions continued beyond 6.30 pm.

Several journalists covering the protests were also detained despite displaying their press identification cards, visuals circulating on social media showed.

Visuals from Connaught Place's Inner Circle showed protesters marching and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, shouting, "Gyanesh Kumar isteefa do, isteefa do."

Police personnel were seen moving in to disperse demonstrators, holding them by their arms and pulling them towards waiting buses. Some were dragged along the road while continuing to raise slogans.

The detentions came amid extensive security arrangements, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across Delhi to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar.

The CJP and Opposition parties have been demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR of electoral rolls.

The CJP has said it will continue its agitation until the chief election commissioner steps down.

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