The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (30 September 2025) expressed concern over the arrest of two teenagers from Janakpuri, Delhi, by Rajasthan Police officers without informing the local police. The matter came up during a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of one of the boys, who alleged that her son and his cousin were "forcibly taken away": by plainclothes men.
Background
The case was brought by Kapoori Bai, a street vendor who sells toys near Dussehra Park, Janakpuri. She told the court that on 26 September, her 15-year-old son and her relative’s 17-year-old boy disappeared after being whisked away by unknown men in civilian dress.
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She and her relatives searched frantically through the night, finally reaching out to the Janakpuri and Hari Nagar police stations. But instead of help, they faced confusion both stations denied any record of arrest or detention. Calls by the family’s lawyer the next day also yielded nothing; there was no official entry of the boys names in the daily register.
The anxious family then rushed to court seeking urgent relief.
Court's Observations
When the matter was heard, the State Counsel presented a status report stating that the boys were in fact arrested by Pushkar Police, Rajasthan, in connection with a robbery case registered in August 2025. The SHO of Pushkar confirmed via phone that the boys were picked up from Delhi on 29 September, but admitted that no prior intimation was given to the local Delhi police.
This revelation drew sharp attention from the bench of Justice Jyoti Singh and Justice Anish Dayal. The court reminded the Rajasthan Police of established protocols for inter-state arrests, including prior permission, coordination with local stations, and ensuring that an arrested person can speak to a lawyer before being taken out of state.
The bench observed,
"These safeguards are not decorative guidelines; they are meant to protect liberty, especially in cases involving children."
The court also noted that the two boys were minors, yet no age verification was done before they were moved across state borders. The Standing Counsel for Delhi confirmed during the hearing that the guidelines laid down earlier in the Sandeep Kumar case had clearly been flouted.
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Decision
After hearing both sides, the High Court ordered Rajasthan Police to file a detailed status report by the end of the day. The report must carry the signature of the Superintendent of Police, Ajmer, Ms. Vandita Rana, and a copy is to be shared with the petitioner’s counsel.
Additionally, Inspector Vikram Singh Rathore of Pushkar Police was directed to keep the SHO of Hari Nagar police station updated on the case’s progress.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on 1 October 2025 at 10:30 AM, when the court will scrutinize the Rajasthan Police’s explanation.
With this, the proceedings concluded for the day, leaving the fate of the two teenagers hanging until the next hearing.
Case Title: Kapoori Bai v. State (NCT of Delhi) & Ors.
Case Number: W.P. (CRL) 3239/2025
