Algebraic criteria to decide if a finite group acts effectively on a model aspherical manifold (Q1270397)

For an aspherical manifold \(M\), arising from a Seifert fiber space construction, it is known that, under some additional conditions on \(M\), a finite abstract kernel \(\psi: F\to \text{Out}(\pi _1(M))\) can be (effectively) geometrically realized by a group of fibre preserving homeomorphisms of \(M\) if and only if \(\psi \) can be realized by an (admissible) group extension \(1\to \pi _1 (M)\to E \to F\to 1\). Hence, the study of the symmetry of such a manifold (in terms of finite effective actions on \(M\)) can be converted into a group-theoretical study of realizing (algebraically) finite abstract kernels \(F\to \text{Out}(\pi _1(M))\): There exists an extension realizing a given abstract kernel if and only if a corresponding third cohomology class obstruction vanishes. Unfortunately, a straightforward computation of this obstruction can be extremely hard. This paper presents some criteria which solve the problem for certain finite abstract kernels, extending earlier work of \textit{B. Zimmermann} [Manuscr. Math. 51, 225-242 (1985; Zbl 0584.57025)]. Instead of using cohomological arguments, a different technical and combinatorial approach, based on the Reidemeister-Schreier method for presenting subgroups of finite index in a given finitely presented group, is followed.