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Bombay High Court orders Maharashtra to explain detentions

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 10:22 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bombay High Court Directs

Bombay High Court directed Maharashtra to answer claims of illegal detentions.
Advocate-activist Sagar Kantilal Devre filed a PIL challenging the detentions.
Over 600 people were detained on Oct 10 and more than 300 on Oct 11.
Police reportedly seized people from homes based on FIRs later quashed by the Supreme Court.
The bench ordered a 10-day affidavit, setting a hearing for Nov 19.

Summary

Imran Khan Challenges

Imran Khan, a U.S. citizen and OCI cardholder, filed a petition challenging a Leave India Notice in Bombay High Court.
He argues no law prohibits OCI holders from peaceful protest, calling the notice illegal and drastic.
Police invoked Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 to order his removal.
He was detained at August Kranti Maidan on October 10 and taken to Yellow Gate police station.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya and an unnamed political functionary on X demanded Khan’s deportation.

Summary

Police Deploy Around Rally

Police deployed 500 officers around Azad Maidan and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Metro for the CJP rally.
The rally drew 50-150 participants, far below the 5,000-person permit.
Protesters demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign and the SIR electoral-roll revision be withdrawn.
Activist Anjali Damania, Samya Kore and Aamir Kazi condemned democratic erosion.
CJP coordinator Amol Asulkar said the rally showed solidarity with detained activists Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.

History

Historical Context

In June 1975 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi invoked the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and Article 352 to impose a 21-month Emergency, detaining roughly 1.5 million people and prompting the Supreme Court’s ADM Jabalpur ruling that upheld preventive custody. The episode created a legal precedent that today drives the Bombay High Court’s scrutiny of over 600 activist detentions under similar statutes.

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Bombay High Court Directs

Bombay High Court directed Maharashtra to answer claims of illegal detentions.
Advocate-activist Sagar Kantilal Devre filed a PIL challenging the detentions.
Over 600 people were detained on Oct 10 and more than 300 on Oct 11.
Police reportedly seized people from homes based on FIRs later quashed by the Supreme Court.
The bench ordered a 10-day affidavit, setting a hearing for Nov 19.

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