The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday issued directions to the state police to produce before the court two persons reportedly detained in connection with the upcoming Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest scheduled in Delhi on October 10. The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice Alpesh Y Kogje and Justice Vivek Jain while hearing habeas corpus petitions filed by Shardul Jitendra Buwa and Vishakha Prashant Londhe, both residents of Maharashtra.
The court observed that the petitioners had sought the production of two individuals who were allegedly detained by police at railway stations in Bhopal, Itarsi, and Gwalior while en route to Delhi to participate in the protest. According to the information placed before the court, at least thirty Delhi-bound protesters were detained at these stations, with the detained persons originating from Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
While directing the police to produce the two individuals before the court, the bench clarified that the state is permitted to make arrangements to ensure the safe return of the detainees to their respective family members. The court further stated that it remains open for the state to produce the individuals before the court prior to the returnable date, provided prior notice is given to the opposing side.
The bench emphasized that the direction for production does not preclude the state from facilitating the detainees’ return to their families under appropriate safeguards. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing on October 13, 2026.
The court’s order came in response to petitions alleging unlawful detention of persons exercising their right to peaceful assembly and travel. The CJP protest, which has been called by various opposition parties and youth organisations, is scheduled to take place in the national capital on October 10.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has not made any findings on the legality of the detentions at this stage, limiting its intervention to seeking the production of the two named individuals for judicial scrutiny. The police have been directed to comply with the order and file a return by the next date of hearing.
The court’s approach reflects a balance between safeguarding personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution and acknowledging the state’s responsibility to maintain public order, without prejudicing the merits of the detention or the protest itself.
No further directions were issued regarding the other detained protesters, as the petitions before the court were confined to the two individuals named by the petitioners. The state has been given an opportunity to justify the detentions or produce the persons before the court at the next hearing.
The matter remains sub judice, with the court yet to examine the grounds of detention or consider any compensatory relief. The October 13 hearing will determine the next steps based on the police return and any additional submissions by the parties.