Register FIRs Against Three BJP Leaders, Others For Hate Speech, Delhi High Court Tells Police

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered the police to immediately register FIRs against three BJP leaders and others who made inflammatory speeches that allegedly led to the violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law (CAA). The court asked the police to immediately update the court about the order. “Our order is not limited only to hate speech videos of three BJP leaders. FIR should be registered in case of every hate speech,” the court said.

The court was hearing a plea seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests of those involved in the ongoing communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. It has left more than 20 people dead and over 180 injured.

During the hearing, the court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Rajesh Deo if they had seen the video clip of BJP leader Kapil Mishra making alleged hate speeches. While Mehta maintained that he does not watch television and has not seen those clips, Deo said he has watched the video of BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma, but has not of Mishra.

On the submission made by the police officer, Justice Muralidhar remarked, "I am really amazed at the state of affairs of the Delhi Police", and asked the court staff to play Mishra's video clip in the courtroom.

A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Anup J Bhambhani took on record the assurance by special commissioner Praveer Ranjan that he will sit with the police commissioner on Wednesday itself and view all video clips and take a conscious decision on lodging of FIRs.

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The high court also issued notices to the parties concerned on the plea filed by the Centre seeking to be impleaded in the case. The matter will be heard further on Thursday.

The High Court also applauded the police for prompt action in evacuating the injured in north-east Delhi where communal violence has erupted. The bench termed as “extremely unfortunate” the killing of IB officer in the ongoing violence.

“While order was being dictated mid-night, the police were implementing it right there and rescuing injured persons,” the bench said during the day's hearing.

It added that the highest constitutional functionaries who move with Z-security should reach out to the affected people to give them confidence that law is functioning. The court appointed advocate Zubeda Begum as amicus curiae to coordinate between the victims and various agencies.

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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.  The court also cautioned the authorities to remain alert so that the carnage caused during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is not repeated.

“No, no we should never allow another 1984... especially under the watch of the court and under your (Delhi Police) watch... We have to be very, very alert,” the bench said. The court has put up the matter for further hearing on February 28.

(With PTI inputs)