Delhi riots: HC asks police why FIRs not registered against BJP leaders for hate speeches
Premium- Delhi High Court says it don’t want 1984-like riots to happen again
- The court shows its displeasure towards non registration of the FIRs, and says why no action is being taken to cause deterrence to further such hate speeches
NEW DELHI : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked Delhi Police to review the speeches and take a “conscious decision" on the registration of first information report (FIR) against the political leaders who are alleged to have incited violence in the city through their speeches.
The petition filed by human rights activist Harsh Mander seeks registration of FIRs against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma for inciting violence through hate speech. It has also sought directions to the Centre for deployment of the Army to maintain law and order in the national capital and areas where the "communal attack on people are most ferocious".
The court showed its displeasure towards non registration of the FIRs, and added that why no action is being taken to cause deterrence to further such speeches.
“We are listing it for tomorrow. We don’t want 1984 again. This city has seen enough. Let us approach in collective spirit. Please keep Lalita Kumari judgment with you. When do you think would be the appropriate tune? How many lives need to be lost and properties need to be lost. You tell us the consequences of not registering the FIRs. If the slogans are repeated again and again, this means there is no deterrence. We are simply asking why are FIRs not registered." Justice Muralidhar said.
“The situation out there is so unpleasant. Out there! You tell me why this prayer is not important. Have you watched the three videos concerning these three people." He said.
The division bench comprising of Justices S. Muralidhar and Talwant Singh will hear the matter tomorrow.
“This is a case of immediate attention. It is not just terror but it was carried out by these people. Slogans like goli maro gaddaroan ko. Anurag Thakur made such statements. These processions were carried out by followers of these leaders. A person of that stature asking people to go ahead and kill! another person. Leader Abhay Verma gave a hate speech yesterday at Lakshmi nagar. Please pass some judgment in strong words. Delhi police should act without fear," said senior advocate Colin Gonsalves appearing for Harsh Mander.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the centre sought impleadment in the case and asked for time to file for response. He further emphasized that the bench should wait for its reply before passing an order.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a writ petition seeking setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to inquire into the incident of violence in North-East Delhi and compensation for those killed and injured in the violence.
The plea also seeks providing the detained people’s access to their family members and to legal aid. It has further asked for preservation of evidence and CCTV footage of all cameras in and around the protest sites.
In a separate case, the high court commended the police for action in evacuating the injured in violence affected area. The court said this in continuation of a midnight hearing on a plea to ensure safe passage of the injured victims by deploying all resources, as well as to make sure they receive immediate emergency treatment. The plea was moved by one Rahul Roy for safe passage of injured people in the riots. The court appointed advocate Zubeda Begum as amicus curiae to coordinate between the victims and various agencies. It further asked the director of Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) to provide sufficient number of qualified professionals to cater to the victims suffering from post trauma stress.
