Climate activist Disha Ravi | Photo Credit: Facebook

Environmental justice group slams Delhi Police over arrest of activist Disha Ravi, demands 'immediate release'

Reacting to the development, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram called it a "shameful day" and demanded her release.

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New Delhi: The Coalition for Environmental Justice in India on Sunday slammed Delhi Police over the arrest of activist Disha Ravi in a case related to a “toolkit” linked to the farmers’ protest.

Terming Disha's arrest as extra-judicial abduction, the group demand that the activist be 'immediately released' and said Delhi Police has no regard for rule of law. The environmental justice group has claimed that the 21-year-old was taken to Delhi from Bengaluru and even the parents were not told about her whereabouts, reports Times Now's Deepak.

The environmental support group has also initiated a petition - "Immediately release Disha Ravi: Stop targeting India's youth and environmental activists - on Change.org seeking support for Disha.

"Delhi Police’s disregard for the rule of law is no secret. However, this action against an individual without following the due process of law, and in clear violation of norms for arrests and detentions laid down by the Supreme Court, reflects absolute contempt for constitutional principles. The act of criminalising young people for extending solidarity to a struggle that resonates with their own aspirations for a healthy and secure future, strikes as a new low," they wrote in the petition.

Key conspirator in 'Toolkit Doc': Delhi Police

Delhi Police Cyber Cell had arrested the 21-year-old climate activist from Bengaluru on Saturday for her alleged role in spreading a "toolkit" related to the farmers' protest. She was remanded to five days police custody by a Delhi court earlier today.

According to the Delhi Police, Disha Ravi is an Editor of the Toolkit Google Doc and key conspirator in document's formulation and dissemination. She started WhatsApp Group and collaborated to make the Toolkit doc. She worked closely with them to draft the Doc, the police said.

Reacting to the development, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram called it a '"shameful day" and demanded her release. "This such a shameful day! #ReleaseDishaRavi What kind of justice system we have? A 21 year old idealist is arrested & sent to 5 days police custody (sic)," he tweeted.