The Delhi High Court on Monday said Kshatriya Karni Sena/Akhand Karni Party president Dr Raj Shekhawat was free to move around after the Delhi Police submitted that he had not been arrested or detained in any case.

A Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan was hearing Shekhawat’s habeas corpus petition alleging that he was being illegally detained at a friend’s residence in Neb Sarai, New Delhi.

According to the petition, Shekhawat has been recently leading a nationwide awareness campaign in respect of the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026.

It was further stated that he had presently been illegally detained at the residence of one of his friends Near Saket Metro Station, New Delhi and is not permitted by the concerned authorities to leave the said premises.

His counsel submitted that he had also made representations to the National Human Rights Commission and other bodies but he is still not allowed to move out of his friend’s residence.

The Delhi Police, however, told the Court that Shekhawat had not been arrested in any case. It further submitted that there was an apprehension that he might proceed towards Jantar Mantar to participate in a protest.

In view of the Police's statement that Shekhawat had not been detained, the High Court held that no further urgent relief was required on the allegation of detention.

"Insofar as the allegation of detention is concerned, in view of the statement made by the ld. Counsels for the Delhi Police to the effect that the Petitioner has not been detained, no further relief urgently needs to be granted in this matter" the bench said.

The Bench, however, clarified that if Shekhawat wished to participate in any protest, it would have to be conducted in accordance with law.

"The statement of the Delhi Police 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 in accordance with law" the order states.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 1, 2026, before the Roster Bench.

Earlier today, Shekhawat’s counsel, Advocate Lokesh Bhardwaj, had made a mention of the matter before a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia. The Division Bench had said that the matter would be listed today itself.

Pursuant to this, the matter was listed before a bench led by Justice Prathiba M Singh on special marking and was listed in the Second Supplementary List due to non-availability of the Regular Bench.

The petition primarily sought for the production of Shekhawat from the residence of his friend.

On a query from the Court, the counsels had told the bench that they were allowed to meet the Petitioner, at the above stated address and that is how the present petition had been prepared and filed.

Case Title: DR RAJ SHEKHAWAT v GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI AND ANR

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