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Rules President Raj Shekhawat Not Detained, Free to Move
Disposes of Plea, Police Deny Custody
A of the , comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan, ruled on Tuesday that Dr. Raj Shekhawat, president of the and , is not under police detention and remains free to move about. The court accepted the ’s submission that Shekhawat had not been arrested, disposing of urgent claims in a petition. However, the bench cautioned that any protest Shekhawat chooses to participate in must strictly comply with the law.
Alleged Confinement at Friend’s Residence
The petition, supported by an notarized on , sought the production of Shekhawat, who his counsel claimed was being illegally detained at a friend’s residence located at B-57, Gate No. 3, Freedom Fighter Enclave, IGNOU Road, Neb Sarai, New Delhi. According to the petitioner’s counsel, the president of the organization leading a nationwide awareness campaign about the ’s (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, was not permitted by authorities to leave the premises. The legal team stated that counsel were allowed to meet Shekhawat at the address, enabling them to prepare and file the petition.
Police Deny Detention, Court Reaffirms Freedom
Responding to the court's query, counsel for the , represented by and , stated that Shekhawat had not been arrested in any case. However, they expressed apprehension that Shekhawat might proceed to Jantar Mantar for a protest. The recorded the police statement and concluded that no urgent relief was necessary regarding the detention allegation.
Key Observations from the Court
“Insofar as the allegation of detention is concerned, in view of the statement made by the ld. Counsels for the to the effect that the Petitioner has not been detained, no further relief urgently needs to be granted in this matter.”
“The statement of the is accepted and the Petitioner is free to move around.”
“However, if there is any protest that the Petitioner wishes to participate in, the same shall be .”
Final Decision and Next Hearing
The court accepted the police statement and declared the petitioner free to move. The matter has been listed for further hearing on , before the . The order clarifies that while Shekhawat retains full freedom of movement, any demonstration he participates in must be within the bounds of the law, a condition that balances with considerations.
