Advocate Moves Patna High Court Alleging Illegal Detention & Assault By Police Amid Student Protests

A petition has been filed before Patna High Court by an advocate, alleging that he was illegally apprehended, physically assaulted and detained for nearly 31 hours by the police after he intervened to request the police personnel to exercise restraint during a lathi-charge on protesting students near Gandhi Maidan, Patna.

The petitioner, Aadil Hussain, has approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the authorities to register an FIR against the concerned police officials. It also seeks to entrust the investigation to an independent agency, preserve CCTV footage of the incident, initiate departmental proceedings against the concerned police officials, and pay compensation for the violation of petitioner's fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22.

The respondents in the matter include the Bihar government, the Director General of Police, the Superintendent of Police (East Patna), and the Station House Officers (Kotwali Police Station & Rajiv Nagar Police Station).

According to the petition, on 25.07.2026, while returning from the Civil Court towards his chambers, the petitioner witnessed police personnel resorting to lathi-charge against student protestors. On being approached by some of the students, the petitioner identified himself as an advocate and appealed to the police personnel to exercise restraint. The police personnel, however, apprehended the petitioner, grabbed him by his collar, tore his attire, abused him, and physically assaulted him. It is further alleged that the petitioner was taken to Kotwali Police Station where he witnessed custodial violence against detained students. On raising objections, he was told by police officers present to “know the limits of lawyers.” Later the petitioner was transferred to the Rajiv Nagar Police Station.

It is alleged that the petitioner remained in custody for about 30 hours and 50 minutes, without being produced before a Magistrate and without any FIR being registered against him. Moreover, no intimation was given to his family or friends regarding his detention.

Relying on Lalita Kumari v Government of Uttar Pradesh and DK Basu v State of West Bengal, the petitioner has sought directions for registration of an FIR and compensation for the deprivation of personal liberty and custodial violation. Investigation by an independent agency, preservation and production of the CCTV footage has also been sought, along with initiation of departmental proceedings against the concerned police officials.

The petitioner is represented by Advocate Masoom Raza.