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Delhi HC Stays Sharafat Sheikh’s Extradition Order
The Delhi High Court has temporarily stayed the externment order issued against Sharafat Sheikh in June 2026. While hearing the case, the bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula has sought a status report on the petition from Delhi Police. The court has directed to continue this interim relief till the next hearing.
Sheikh had filed a petition in the High Court challenging the six-month externment order issued against him. During the hearing on Friday, his lawyer Hemant Gulati presented arguments before the court regarding his health condition and treatment.
After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court temporarily suspended the Externment Order. The next hearing of the case will be in November.
Lawyer cites health condition
Hemant Gulati, representing Sharafat Sheikh, told the court that his client is suffering from a serious illness and is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Saket. The defence cited this health condition as one of the main grounds for staying the Externment Order.
The lawyer argued that it would be difficult for Sheikh to stay outside Delhi due to the need for continuous treatment. He also informed that three months of the six-month period of the Externment Order have already passed.
After considering these arguments of the defence, the High Court stayed the Externment Order till the next hearing. Advocate Ritwik appeared in the court on behalf of the police.
Status report sought from Delhi Police
The High Court has directed the Delhi Police to file its response to Sheikh’s petition and a status report on the current status of the case. The court will now conduct further hearing after taking the police’s side on record.
In the case, along with the challenge to the Externment Order, the status of the related criminal proceedings is also before the court. The court has also sought a report on the status of Sheikh’s regular bail application.
Thus, at present the court order is only related to interim stay on the Externment Order. No final conclusion has been reached in other related criminal cases.
The argument that three months had passed was also presented to the court.
During the hearing, Sheikh’s lawyer informed the court that half of the six-month externment order, or approximately three months, had already expired. The defense highlighted this fact to support the plea for interim relief.
The lawyer also said that considering Sheikh’s health condition, an order to send him out of Delhi may create practical difficulties. Considering these arguments, the court decided to stay the order for the time being.
However, this stay is till the next hearing. The further status of the case will be clear after the status report of Delhi Police and the arguments in the next hearing.
Information about other cases against Sheikh was also presented to the court.
During the hearing, the defense also informed the court about the status of other cases involving Sheikh. According to his lawyer, he has been acquitted in some old cases.
The lawyer also said that Sheikh had been granted anticipatory bail in a case related to MCOCA on the basis of his health condition. At the same time, legal proceedings related to a case registered in Delhi Cantt police station are still going on.
This information placed before the court is important to understand the current legal position of the case. However, the allegations cannot be seen as the final conclusion of the court in any pending case.
The earlier order also mentioned treatment.
In an earlier order dated September 3, the Delhi High Court had noted Sheikh’s serious health condition and ongoing treatment. Court records indicate that he is also undergoing chemotherapy.
In that hearing, an assurance was recorded on behalf of the state that he would not be arrested till the next hearing in connection with the FIR of Delhi Cantt police station, provided he cooperates in the investigation.
Now in the latest hearing, the court has granted separate interim relief on the Externment Order and has sought a status report from the police.
The next hearing will be in November.
The Delhi High Court has currently stayed Sharafat Sheikh’s extradition order. This stay will remain in effect till the next hearing, while Delhi Police will have to clarify the status of the case before the court.
The court may further consider the police report and arguments of both the parties in the next hearing in November. After that the further legal position regarding the Externment Order will be clear.
At present the High Court order is limited to interim relief. The final decision on the main petition challenging the Externment Order is still awaited.
