Delhi High Court rejects plea for FIR in 2020 riots hate speech case
Delhi High Court rejected the demand for FIR and SIT probe into alleged hate speeches linked to the 2020 Delhi riots in a major decision.
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Delhi High Court has dismissed 15 petitions seeking FIRs and investigations into alleged hate speeches linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The petitions sought action against several political leaders, along with an SIT probe and judicial scrutiny of the Delhi Police’s investigation.
The petitioners included former Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. They sought investigation into alleged inflammatory statements by leaders including Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Manish Sisodia, Akbaruddin Owaisi and Parvesh Verma as well as details of cases registered, investigations conducted and arrests made. The Delhi Police opposed the petitions before the court.
The Northeast Delhi riots broke out in February 2020 amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, with violence reported in areas including Jafrabad and Maujpur. The clashes left 53 people dead and more than 200 injured, while several properties were damaged. The petitions also referred to the December 2019 violence at Jamia Millia Islamia, which followed protests against the CAA.