The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, closed a habeas corpus petition concerning Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kuldeep Kumar after the Delhi Police informed the Court that he had been released earlier in the day.
The matter was heard by Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja. The petition had been urgently mentioned before Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya earlier in the day.
Background of the Case
The petition, filed by Deepa, wife of Kuldeep Kumar, alleged that Kumar was taken from his residence at around 4 AM by several persons in plain clothes who claimed to be Delhi Police personnel.
According to the petition, Kumar had been supporting sanitation workers protesting over the death of a worker and demanding compensation for the deceased worker's family.
The plea further alleged that Kumar was taken to an undisclosed location and that CCTV cameras at his residence were damaged, with the DVR allegedly taken away.
Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat argued that Kumar remained unreachable for several hours and questioned the circumstances of his detention.
Court's Observation
During the hearing, the Delhi Police placed copies of the General Diary of Madhu Vihar Police Station before the Court and informed the Bench that Kumar had been released at around 3:48 PM.
The Court recorded that the detention was preventive in nature. Since Kumar had already been released, the Bench held that the immediate purpose of the habeas corpus petition had been fulfilled.
The Court observed, "The purpose of the present petition has been served after his release."
Decision
The Delhi High Court closed the habeas corpus petition. However, it clarified that Kumar's family would remain free to pursue appropriate legal remedies concerning the alleged detention and any claim for compensation relating to damage to property.
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