New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed Delhi Police to take a “conscious decision” on the registration of FIRs against three prominent political leaders for allegedly inciting violence in the national capital.
The court witnessed jampacked courtroom as a Division Bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Talwant Singh heard a petition praying for arresting BJP leader Anurag Thakur, Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma for inciting violence in north-east Delhi.
“We are not confining to these clips but any clip on which an FIR needs to registered. Wrong signal is being sent out. We do not not want another 1984,” said Justice Muralidhar.
The court observed, “This is the anguish of the constitutional court against the non-registration of FIR and we want you to tell this to commissioner of police. You should sit and make a conscious decision. Come back and tell us tomorrow.” The matter will be heard tomorrow at 2:15 p.m.
It submitted that non-registration of FIR sends out a wrong message. “It has vast ramifications. The aftermath of speech should be contained.”
The sound of Anurag Thakur’s ‘Desh ke gaddaro ko’ clip reverberated through the courtroom. Video clips of other leaders were also played.
The court said the city has seen “enough violence, anguish and tragedy”.
“You (Delhi Police) have registered 11 FIRs in the last two days. Why are you showing laxity when it comes to registering an FIR against these three? What is the appropriate stage? After the city is burnt?” the court questioned.
During the course of proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the “unfortunate event” should not be senstionalised based on “selective outrage”.
Mehta submitted that the nature of prayers in the petition was not “urgent” in nature.
Violence has erupted between pro and anti-CAA groups in north-east Delhi’s Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Gokulpuri ares.
Petitioner and social activist Harsh Mander has moved a plea seeking arrest of the three BJP leaders and their prosecution.
“After provocative speeches were given by the three prominent politicians liked to the assailants, the assailants carried out mutiple brutal attacks on unarmed persons who were protesting against CAA,” the plea alleged.
