Delhi High Court also directs the Uttam Nagar Police Station to file a status report along with all documentary evidence within one week
NEW DELHI — The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi Police to provide immediate and adequate police protection to Shahnaz and her family in Uttam Nagar, following allegations of repeated attacks and threats.
The relief came after legal intervention in the matter by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR).
The petition, Shahnaz v. State of NCT of Delhi & Anr., W.P.(CRL) 2902/2026, was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution read with Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Shahnaz, wife of Habib Khan and resident of A-386, Hastal Road, J J Colony, Uttam Nagar, approached the court seeking police protection, registration of an FIR concerning an attack on her family, and preservation of CCTV, PCR and other relevant records.
Shahnaz’s son is an accused in FIR No. 122/2026 registered at Police Station Uttam Nagar in connection with the death of Tarun during Holi on 4 March 2026. The case presently invokes Sections 103(2), 115(2), 190, 333, 95, 103(1), 109(1) and 3(5) of the BNS, along with Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2)(va) and 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act.
According to the petition, Shahnaz’s family left their house in Uttam Nagar on 5 March 2026 amid communal tension. After informing the police before returning to their home on 20 August 2026, the house was allegedly attacked three days later. Although the police reached the spot following a PCR call, the family alleges that no effective action was taken. The petition sought registration of an FIR, if one had not already been registered, a fair and time-bound investigation, police protection, and preservation and production of CCTV footage, PCR records and other evidence relating to the incident.
The matter escalated further on the night of 28 September. According to the petition, a mob of around 50–60 people, allegedly led by Tek Chand, Memraj and Laxmi Devi, attacked the house of Shahnaz’s nephew, Imran @ Bunty. The mob allegedly pelted stones and threatened to kill the family unless they left the area. Two constables reportedly responded to calls made through 112 but did not intervene. Shaheen, a woman from the family, was allegedly assaulted.
The petition further states that the mob returned the following morning, entered the house and assaulted family members, including women and children. The incidents were captured on CCTV.
On Wednesday, Justice Girish Kathpalia of the Delhi High Court directed the authorities to provide immediate and adequate police protection to Shahnaz’s family to prevent any violence or untoward incident.
The court has also directed the Uttam Nagar Police Station to file a status report along with all documentary evidence within one week. The matter is listed for further hearing on 16 October.
Shahnaz and her family are represented by Sr. Adv. Warisha Farasat, Advocates Abdul Gaffar, Fawaz Shaheen, Kaustabh Chaturvedi, M Huzaifa, Junaid, Fahad Sagheer, Junaid Nisar, Nakul Sharma, and Ruby Nagpal.
