The Delhi High Court has questioned the Delhi Police over allegations that activist Nadeem Khan was confined at his office premises for several hours to prevent him from attending a protest at Jantar Mantar. The Court issued notice on his petition and directed the police to file a status report within two weeks.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma was hearing Khan’s plea alleging that police personnel from Shaheen Bagh Police Station prevented him from leaving the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind headquarters in Abul Fazal Enclave on September 29.
According to the petition, police personnel remained at the premises from around 9:30 am until 5:30 pm, preventing him from participating in a planned protest against alleged attacks on places of worship. Khan has claimed that he was neither formally arrested nor informed of any legal grounds for his alleged confinement.
He has sought a declaration that the alleged confinement, continued surveillance and harassment were unlawful, along with compensation and an independent inquiry into the conduct of the police personnel.
During the hearing, the Delhi Police maintained that Khan had been denied permission to protest and that officers were deployed after receiving information that he might still attend. The police denied detaining him, stating that their purpose was only to restrict his movement.
The Bench questioned the legal basis for entering his premises and restricting his movement.
“How can you enter the house of this man? You have the right to conduct your duty, but how can you do it in such a way? Where is your cause to confine him? Denying permission is within your rights. Please show us where in law…”
The Court also took note of the allegations of continued surveillance. Khan’s counsel submitted that police personnel had contacted him even after September 29, causing concerns about his freedom of movement.
The Bench issued notice to the Delhi Police and directed it to submit a status report within two weeks. It also recorded the police counsel’s statement, made on instructions from the Station House Officer, that Khan would not receive further phone calls from the police.
