The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police to submit a status report responding to a petition filed by civil rights activist Mohammad Wasiq Nadeem Khan, who alleged that he was illegally detained to prevent him from participating in a peaceful protest.
According to reporting by [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-high-court-seeks-delhi-police-status-report-on-activist-detention-plea-ptag-3015419-2026-10-12?utm_source=rss), the court acknowledged that law enforcement maintains the authority to deny permission for public demonstrations, but raised questions during proceedings regarding the conduct of the officers involved.
“How can you enter the house of this man?” the bench asked orally. “You have your right to conduct your duty (but) how can you do it in such a way? Where is your cause to confine him?”
Counsel representing Khan told the court that on September 29, two police personnel arrived at the activist’s residence-cum-office and restricted his movement throughout the day. Khan alleged that officers attached to the Shaheen Bagh Police Station confined him at the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind headquarters in Abul Fazal Enclave between approximately 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to block his attendance at a scheduled protest at Jantar Mantar.
The petition stated that Khan was neither formally arrested nor provided with written grounds for his confinement. Khan further alleged that police failed to prepare an arrest memo, did not inform any relative of his custody, and did not produce him before a magistrate. Khan’s counsel characterized the actions and ongoing surveillance as arbitrary behavior and harassment, noting that police personnel continued contacting Khan regarding his whereabouts during subsequent demonstrations planned for October 2 and October 5.
Counsel representing the Delhi Police denied that Khan was detained in any manner and noted that the activist had traveled to Kolkata the following week. The police counsel confirmed that Khan had previously sought permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on September 29, which had been denied by authorities. Police stated that officers visited Khan’s residence solely to make a query after receiving intelligence that he intended to participate in the agitation despite the official denial.
Sources
– [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/delhi-high-court-seeks-delhi-police-status-report-on-activist-detention-plea-ptag-3015419-2026-10-12?utm_source=rss)
Source: India Today – India
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Story synopsis gathered from: India Today – India — source
