‘Attack’ On Delhi Environment Minister: Delhi Court Tells Cops To Preserve CCTV Footage, Assess Threat Perception

Almost a fortnight after Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain alleged that he was assaulted by a mob inside Delhi Secretariat, a court here has directed the police to preserve the CCTV footage of the day while also providing necessary security to the minister after assessing his threat perception.

Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra on Thursday directed the DCP concerned to assess threat perception to Hussain after his counsel told the court that he fears a repeat attack by stirred staff to fulfill vendetta.

Hussain had filed a complaint alleging that on February 20 at 12:30 PM, a day after the alleged assault on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, he was obstructed from taking the elevator to his office at the 8th floor of Secretariat and was mobbed by the officials of the Delhi government.

Hussain moved an application seeking directions for the preservation of CCTV record of February 20 of Delhi Secretariat.

The police informed the court that necessary directions have already been issued in this regard.

Hussain also showed CCTV footage in the court.

“From the CCTV footage, it is prima facie clear that the applicant is restrained in the lift, a huge crowd is present and criminal force is also used. The CCTV footage is a crucial piece of evidence in present case. It is undisputed that CCTV footages are liable to be deleted automatically in the normal course and are stored for a limited period. Urgent steps are required to preserve and seize the footage, devices (if required), forthwith,” the court ordered.

Hussain also submitted to the court that the police have not invoked Section 186 IPC, but he was obstructed while going to discharge his public functions as a minister.

“Prima facie I find merit in the contentions made by counsel for the applicant as contents of FIR shows that he was going to his office when the alleged incident of criminal restrain, use of force, causing hurt and damaging of belongings have taken place,” the court said.

It said the CCTV footage shown before it also clarifies the same.

The court, however, directed the SHO to deliberate on adding the relevant provision of IPC during his investigation after the police said they first needed to seize the CCTV footage and examine relevant witnesses to arrive at a decision.