New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has declined to grant any urgent relief in a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr. Raj Shekhawat, president of the Kshatriya Karni Sena/Akhand Karni Party, after counsel for the Delhi Police submitted that he had not been arrested or detained in any case.
A Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan, hearing the matter through hybrid mode on August 25, 2026, was informed that the petition sought production of the Petitioner, who was stated to be confined at a friend’s residence and was allegedly not being permitted to leave the premises.
Mr. Lokesh Bhardwaj, counsel for the Petitioner, submitted that the Petitioner had recently been leading a nationwide awareness campaign against the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, and that the petition, along with the supporting affidavit, had been prepared after counsel were permitted to meet him at the stated address. It was also submitted that the Petitioner had made representations to the National Human Rights Commission and other bodies, but continued to be denied permission to leave the premises.
Mr. Hitesh Wali and Mr. Abhinav Kumar, counsel for the Delhi Police, on instructions, submitted that the Petitioner had not been arrested in any case, though they flagged an apprehension that he might proceed towards Jantar Mantar for a protest.
Accepting the Delhi Police’s statement, the court held that no further relief urgently needs to be granted in this matter, and directed that the Petitioner is free to move around, clarifying that any protest he wishes to participate in shall be in accordance with law.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 1, 2026, before the Roster Bench.
Appearances:
For the Petitioner: Mr. Lokesh Bhardwaj, Mr. Himanshu Sharma, Mr. Rahul Bhardwaj, Mr. Abhishek Tyagi, Mr. Jatin, Ms. Geetika Ojha, Mr. Ashishwarya Raj Singh, Advocates.
For the Respondents: Mr. Hitesh Wali and Mr. Abhinav Kumar, Advocates.
Case Title: Dr. Raj Shekhawat vs. Government of NCT of Delhi and Anr., W.P.(CRL) 2617/2026
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