Court Approves Bail for Majority of Accused in Kartavya Path Protest Case
A Delhi court granted bail to 10 protesters on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, who were arrested following a demonstration at Kartavya Path where participants allegedly raised slogans in support of slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma.
Judicial Magistrate Aridaman Singh Cheema approved bail applications for the majority of the accused while hearing pleas from 12 protesters. The court, however, denied relief to one individual and postponed another’s hearing until Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Details of Bail Granted
The following individuals received bail on a bond of ₹15,000 each:
- Ahan Arun Upadhyay
- Sameer Faiyaz
- Vishnu Tiwari
- Satyam Yadav
- Prakash Raj Gupta
- Shreshth Mukund
- Banka Akash
- Aatreya Chaudhary
- Tanya Shrivastav
- Abhinash Satyapati
Court’s Reasoning Behind Bail Decision
In its order, the court emphasized that all digital evidence had been secured by police, including CCTV footage, video clips from the protest, and mobile phones belonging to the accused.
“Nothing has been discovered against the accused protesters qua their membership in radical organisations related to Naxalites,” the court stated.
The magistrate added that reasonable conditions would be imposed to prevent the accused from absconding or tampering with evidence. “No purpose shall be served by keeping the accused in judicial custody,” the court concluded while granting bail.
Bail Denied to One Accused Over RSU Links
The court rejected the bail application of K. Sri Ilakkiya, citing ongoing investigations into the Radical Students Union (RSU), which authorities have designated as a frontal organization of Naxals.
“The investigation is pending regarding the identification of other members of the Radical Students Union (RSU) who had conspired for transforming the protest of pollution into the support of Hidma, the facts and circumstances of the case, the gravity of the offence and in view of the involvement of the accused with the RSU, which is a banned organisation as a frontal organisation of Naxals,” the court observed.
The magistrate expressed concern that granting bail at this stage could allow the accused to alert other unidentified RSU members about the investigation, potentially causing them to abscond.
Third Bail Plea Adjourned
The bail application of another accused, Akshay E. R., was postponed due to pending arguments. The hearing will resume on Wednesday when his counsel is expected to present submissions.
Background of the India Gate Protest
On November 23, protesters gathered at India Gate to demonstrate against rising air pollution levels in the national capital. The demonstration took an unexpected turn when participants allegedly raised controversial slogans and used pepper spray on police personnel attempting to control the situation.
Multiple Arrests in Two Separate Cases
According to police records, 23 protesters were arrested across two separate cases filed at Parliament Street and Kartavya Path police stations.
Key facts about the arrests:
- 17 protesters were detained following a scuffle at Parliament Street police station
- 6 individuals were arrested in connection with the pepper spray incident
- 15 of the 17 accused in the Parliament Street case were subsequently rearrested in the Kartavya Path case
Previous Bail Hearings
Of the 17 accused in the Parliament Street case, nine secured bail on November 28 from a different magistrate handling that matter. The remaining eight obtained bail on December 2.
The current hearing specifically addressed the Kartavya Path case, where allegations include raising slogans in support of Maoist commander Madvi Hidma during what initially began as an air pollution protest.
![# Why India’s Stock Market Is at a Turning Point — and What It Means for 2026 Recent data points show Indian equity markets poised for a potential rebound — with benchmark indices likely to open higher on optimism around corporate earnings growth. That’s not just a short-term mood boost: it reflects deeper shifts in how investors are valuing India’s economic momentum as the new year begins. ([Reuters][1]) But beyond the surface bump in futures, the evolving narrative of Indian markets tells a story of **winners and losers, cross-currents in flows, and risks that could shape finance and business well into 2026**. --- ## 📈 The Bulls: Domestic Growth and Earnings Momentum **Why optimism is rising** After a subdued 2025 — when India’s equities lagged global peers despite strong macro data — analysts increasingly point to earnings as the driver of the next leg up. Corporate profits have started to improve across sectors, and futures pricing indicates that benchmarks could open higher, even as heavyweights like Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank temper gains. ([Reuters][1]) Broader forecasts outside the immediate news support this view. Brokerages such as Jefferies and Morgan Stanley see profit per share growth accelerating in FY27 and beyond, with key sectors like banking, autos and telecom leading the charge. Some projections even envisage **double-digit EPS growth** as a foundation for fresh market advances. ([ETCFO.com][2]) **Who benefits** * **Corporate India with strong domestic demand:** banks, automobiles, telecom companies and consumer discretionary players are set to reap gains from improving sales and margins. * **Domestic institutional investors:** with foreign flows fickle, robust month-by-month inflows from mutual funds, pension funds and insurance investors help underpin prices and limit volatility. 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([Reuters][4]) **What this means long-term** * **Volatility could persist.** India’s stock market might keep oscillating with foreign investor sentiment even if domestic fundamentals strengthen. * **Sectoral divergence.** Export-oriented and globally sensitive sectors (IT or pharma) may underperform versus domestic demand plays. --- ## 📊 Macro Fundamentals Still Matter India’s broader economy remains a key driver of market prospects: * Long-term growth forecasts remain robust, with GDP expected to stay near or above ~7% in FY27. ([The Times of India][5]) * Inflation and interest rate trajectories will influence corporate cost structures and valuations. * Policy reforms — such as GST adjustments, potential trade deals and infrastructure incentives — could make earnings more predictable. These factors contribute to the idea that **2026 could mark not just a bounce but a structural phase in market evolution** where earnings, not liquidity, dictate valuations. ([Fortune India][6]) --- ## 🧩 Hidden Implications: Currency & Foreign Exchange Another critical piece rarely highlighted in headlines is the currency picture. The Indian rupee has shown volatility against a strengthening dollar, partly due to global rates and capital flows. Central bank intervention offers some support, but a weaker currency can squeeze corporate profits, especially for import-dependent firms. ([Reuters][7]) **Why this matters** * **Exporters can gain cost competitiveness**, potentially boosting earnings. * **Import-reliant sectors face margin pressure**, damping enthusiasm among investors. * For foreign investors, currency risk overlays equity return prospects — influencing allocation decisions. --- ## 📅 What’s Next: Scenarios to Watch in 2026 ### Winning outcomes * **Sustained earnings acceleration** across sectors * **Return of foreign capital** with clearer global trade dynamics * **Policy clarity on trade and tax reforms** ### Challenges * **Global macro shocks** (e.g., slowing U.S. growth, oil price spikes) * **Domestic inflation surprises**, forcing tighter policy * **Unresolved geopolitical tensions** For investors and business leaders alike, 2026 is shaping up not as a simple continuation of 2025, but as a **pivotal transition**: where profit performance, capital flows and global linkages interact to define long-term direction. --- In short, the current optimism in Indian markets is not just fleeting anticipation of quarterly numbers — it reflects deeper realignments that could influence investment strategies, corporate planning and the broader economic narrative for the year ahead. [1]: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-shares-likely-open-higher-earnings-growth-optimism-2026-01-06/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Indian shares slip from near record highs as Reliance, HDFC Bank weigh" [2]: https://cfo.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/jefferies-says-indian-shares-set-for-better-2026-on-earnings-domestic-flows/125928841?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Indian Shares to Prosper by 2026: Jefferies Anticipates Earnings Surge and Strong Domestic Flows, ETCFO" [3]: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40400840?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Indian shares likely to open higher on earnings growth optimism - Markets - Business Recorder" [4]: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-equities-open-flat-geopolitical-tensions-offset-earnings-optimism-2026-01-07/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Indian shares decline as geopolitical tensions overshadow earnings optimism" [5]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-growth-outlook-economy-may-grow-6-9-in-fy27-goldilocks-phase-likely-to-continue/articleshow/126371536.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com "India growth outlook: Economy may grow 6.9% in FY27; 'Goldilocks' phase likely to continue" [6]: https://www.fortuneindia.com/markets/market-outlook-2026-earnings-domestic-demand-to-power-next-leg-of-sensex-nifty/129179?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Market outlook 2026: Earnings, domestic demand to power next leg of Sensex, Nifty" [7]: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/rbi-support-cushion-india-rupee-downside-amid-asia-softness-2026-01-07/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "RBI support to cushion India rupee downside amid Asia softness"](https://deshtimestv.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Why-Indias-Stock-Market-Is-at-a-Turning-Point-—-and-What-It-Means-for-2026-150x150.jpg)
