Rajasthan High Court Opens on Sunday Night for Urgent Hearing; Justice Sunil Beniwal Grants Interim Protection to Bikaner Ward-18 Councillor

Rajasthan High Court News | Jodhpur | September 20, 2026

In an extraordinary late-night judicial proceeding, the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur held a special sitting on Sunday night, September 20, 2026, following an urgent petition filed at around 10:00 PM. The matter was heard by a Single Bench of Hon’ble Justice Sunil Beniwal, which granted interim protection from arrest to Maksud Ahmed, an elected Ward No. 18 member of the Bikaner Municipal Corporation.

The development, being described as a first-of-its-kind occurrence in the history of the Rajasthan High Court, drew significant attention from legal and political circles, particularly in view of the upcoming mayoral elections in Bikaner.

The petitioner, Maksud Ahmed, was represented by Dr. Sachin Acharya, Senior Advocate, assisted by Advocate Kaushal Gautam and Advocate Bhavya Gautam.

Rajasthan High Court Holds Special Sunday Night Sitting

The matter concerned Maksud Ahmed, an elected Ward No. 18 member of the Bikaner Municipal Corporation. He approached the Rajasthan High Court apprehending arrest in connection with FIR No. 151/2026, registered at Kotegate Police Station, District Bikaner.

The petition was filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, seeking quashing of the FIR and appropriate interim relief.

As recorded in the order dated September 20, 2026, the Court noted that the matter was being heard on a Sunday with the permission of the Hon’ble Chief Justice.

Background of the Case: Notice Issued Ahead of Mayoral Elections

According to the submissions made before the Court, Maksud Ahmed had been elected as a Ward Member of the Bikaner Municipal Corporation on September 14, 2026.

It was submitted that a notice dated September 15, 2026, was issued to him under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, directing him to appear before the Investigating Officer on September 20, 2026.

The petitioner contended that the notice had been issued in circumstances that raised apprehensions of arrest and could potentially prevent him from participating in the upcoming elections for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Bikaner, scheduled for September 21 and 22, 2026.

It was further submitted that the petitioner was willing to cooperate with the investigation but apprehended that his arrest could prevent him from participating in the scheduled elections.

Justice Sunil Beniwal Grants Interim Protection from Arrest

After considering the submissions and the circumstances of the case, the Hon’ble Single Bench of Justice Sunil Beniwal granted interim protection to the petitioner.

The Court directed that:

• Notice be issued to the respondents, with notice to Respondent No. 4 only, as the other respondents were represented.
• The petitioner appear before the Investigating Officer on September 30, 2026, at 11:30 AM, for necessary interrogation.
• The Investigating Officer shall submit a factual report regarding the investigation/interrogation by the next date.
• The petitioner shall not be arrested in connection with FIR No. 151/2026, registered at Police Station Kotegate, District Bikaner, until the next date.
• The matter has been listed for October 8, 2026.
• The order provides interim protection from arrest while requiring the petitioner to cooperate with the investigation. The Court has not finally adjudicated the petition seeking quashing of the FIR.

A Rare Late-Night Judicial Proceeding

The special Sunday-night sitting of the Rajasthan High Court underscores the urgency with which the matter was placed before the Court, given the imminent municipal elections and the petitioner’s apprehension of arrest.

The interim order provides temporary protection to Maksud Ahmed while the investigation proceeds and the matter remains pending before the High Court.