Delhi High Court orders police to decide Karni Sena protest plea within a week

The Delhi High Court has given city police until September 14 to decide whether the Kshatriya Karni Sena can hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on September 20.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed Karni Sena president Raj Shekhawat to submit a fresh application for a peaceful demonstration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shekhawat had initially sought permission for September 6 but moved the date because of preparations for the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

The protest concerns the recently notified University Grants Commission Regulations, 2026, which are aimed at addressing caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. Shekhawat said the demonstration would express views and grievances about reservation policies and the new UGC framework, and sought withdrawal of the regulations.

Delhi Police had rejected the original request on August 28, citing preparations for the summit, heightened security, law-and-order concerns and traffic restrictions. The petition challenged that decision as legally unsustainable. Shekhawat also offered assurances that no procession would leave Jantar Mantar and that participants would not move toward Bharat Mandapam or routes connected with the summit.

The police counsel asked for time until September 16 or 17, but Justice Sharma rejected the request. “Certainly not. September 14 means 14. You have to decide the application by September 14. You may impose any condition or direction on them which is appropriate as per law,” she said.

Shekhawat had earlier approached the court claiming he was under house arrest. Police clarified that he was not detained, and the court held that he was free to move around.

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Certainly not. September 14 means 14. You have to decide the application by September 14. You may impose any condition or direction on them which is appropriate as per law.