Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Rajasthan High Court Grants Arrest Relief Ahead of Civic Elections
The Rajasthan High Court held unusual hearings on a Sunday before local elections.
Several councillors and candidates worried that they might be arrested before voting.
They said this could stop them from taking part in the elections.
The court temporarily protected nine councillors from Hanumangarh and one from Bikaner.
It also gave temporary arrest protection to three chairperson candidates in separate cases.
Some cases involved allegations under criminal laws, including the SC/ST Act.
The government said the allegations against Sushil Middha were serious.
The court’s orders stop arrests for now but do not end the cases.
Special Rajasthan High Court benches heard urgent petitions on Sunday, with proceedings extending from the afternoon or about 10 p.m. into early Monday.
Nine Hanumangarh councillors and Bikaner councillor Maqsood Ahmed received interim protection from arrest ahead of chairperson elections.
The court also stayed the arrests of chairperson candidates Tejpal Mirdha, Sushil Middha and Sanjay Mundra in separate cases.
The petitioners said arrests, police action or sudden criminal cases could prevent them from voting or contesting civic leadership elections.
The government opposed Sushil Middha’s petition, while the court cited the timing of the case and elections in granting temporary relief.
- Who
- The Rajasthan High Court, including benches led by Justices Nupur Bhati, Sunil Beniwal and Kuldeep Mathur, heard petitions from councillors and civic election candidates.
- What
- The court granted interim protection from arrest or directed that no coercive action be taken against several councillors and candidates.
- When
- The special proceedings took place on Sunday, with some hearings continuing late into the night and early Monday; several protections were ordered ahead of Monday’s chairperson elections.
- Where
- The cases involved civic bodies in Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Kuchera, Sri Vijaynagar and Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.
- Why
- The petitioners feared that arrests or police action before voting could prevent them from participating in civic chairperson elections.
Petitioners and Political Supporters
Government and Investigating Authorities
Timing of police action
Petitioners and Political Supporters
The councillors and candidates argued that cases, summonses or possible arrests shortly before voting could be politically motivated or prevent them from participating in the elections.
Government and Investigating Authorities
The government opposed Sushil Middha’s petition and described the allegations against him as serious.
Effect of arrest protection
Petitioners and Political Supporters
The petitioners sought temporary protection so they could vote or contest in the civic leadership elections without being detained.
Government and Investigating Authorities
The court’s orders were interim measures and did not terminate the criminal cases or allegations.
- Special hearing
- Special benches were constituted on Sunday at the direction of Chief Justice Dr Sanjay Kumar Agrawal; proceedings were reported as beginning in the afternoon or around 10 p.m. and continuing past midnight.
- Hanumangarh relief
- Nine newly elected councillors received a stay on arrest; councillor Manju separately received protection from coercive action subject to prescribed legal procedure.
- Bikaner relief
- Congress councillor Maqsood Ahmed received interim protection after being summoned for questioning in an SC/ST Act case.
- Other candidates
- Arrest protection was granted to Tejpal Mirdha until October 7 and to Sushil Middha until October 7; Sanjay Mundra received protection until October 5.
- Hanumangarh council
- The council has 60 seats; the BJP won 15, while around 32 councillors were associated with Independent MLA Ganesh Bansal’s camp.
- Election schedule
- Chairperson elections were scheduled for Monday, while mayoral elections in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota were scheduled for September 25.
- Legal disputes
- The cases involved allegations or proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the SC/ST Act and other police cases, according to the reports.
