Can't Let Another '1984', Says High Court As It Orders Helplines, Ambulances For Victims Of Violence In North-East Delhi

As the number of deaths in the Delhi violence rose to 22, the Delhi High Court took up the matter related to the mob attacks on Wednesday. In a stern observation, Justice Muralidhar said that, “we cannot let another 1984 happen in this country.” The High Court also ordered the officials to set up helplines for the victims of the violence. Passing directions for the safe passage for injured, the High Court also said that shelters homes should be set up for the rehabilitation of the victims along with basic facilities.

Delhi High Court Division Bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh was hearing Harsh Mander's petition. Provocative statements by Kapil Mishra, Parvesh Verma and Anurag Thakur were also mentioned during the hearing. High Court asked if any of three leaders denied making alleged objectionable statements; petitioner counsel says no, they took pride in it.

Earlier today, interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah must resign over his failure to control the violence in North-East Delhi that has claimed 20 lives. Addressing media after the Congress Working Committee’s meet, Sonia Gandhi blamed the Centre for the grim, riot-like clashes in the areas of Maujpur, Jaffrabad, Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri among others.

“The situation in Delhi is very tense. Where was Amit Shah and what was he doing while Delhi was burning,” Gandhi asked. She also posed tough questions for Delhi Chief Minster. “Where was Arvind Kejriwal,” asked the interim Congress chief demanding an answer from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have identified over a dozen people for rioting. According to sources, gangsters from the Sakri Nasir gang and the Chenu gang were involved in the violence. The communal clashes incited in the national capital was a pre-planned conspiracy by the gangs, sources said.

(With agency inputs)