Delhi HC asks police to explain detention of students, activists

March 15, 2026

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Sunday asked Delhi Police to explain the circumstances under which several students and activists were detained earlier this week in the national capital. Police informed the court that all 10 individuals taken into custody on March 13 and 14 have now been released.

The matter was heard during a special weekend sitting by a bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja after habeas corpus petitions were filed by relatives alleging illegal detention.

Court seeks affidavit from police

During the hearing, Additional Standing Counsel Sanjeev Bhandari told the bench that the individuals had been taken into custody in connection with an investigation after the registration of an FIR and were later released.

Taking note of the submission, the court directed the police to file an affidavit within a week explaining the circumstances and legal authority under which the students and activists were detained.

CCTV footage to be preserved

The court also ordered the police to preserve CCTV footage from Dayal Singh College, the University of Delhi North Campus, and the Jahangirpuri area, from where the individuals were reportedly picked up.

During the hearing, lawyers for the petitioners said that although most detainees had been released, one student, Rudra Vikram Roy, was still missing. The bench directed the police to find out his whereabouts and report back.

The case has been scheduled for the next hearing on March 27, while the petition related to the missing student will be taken up earlier.