Delhi HC Restrains Delhi Police From Sharing Information About Allegations And Evidence Against Delhi Riots Accused

The Delhi High Court has restrained Crime Branch of Delhi Police from giving statements or circulating information regarding allegations and evidence allegedly collected against Pinjra Tod member Devangana Kalita or against any other accused of Delhi Riots to the media or on social media platforms.

A Single Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru has further directed the DCP of the Crime Branch to file a personal affidavit affirming whether any such information as is mentioned in the present petition has been circulated by the officials of the Crime Branch to third persons, journalists or on social media.

The order has come in a criminal writ moved by Pinjra Tod member Devangana Kalita seeking mandamus to be issued to the Delhi Police to not leak any allegations pertaining to the petitioner to the media pending investigation, and thereafter during trial.

The Petitioner alleged that the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has been selectively leaking certain information regarding the allegations made against the petitioner and the evidence allegedly collected against her.

She further submitted that the information which is being circulated is selective and also misleading.

While claiming that the Crime Branch has been providing certain information to the media, the petitioner submitted that such information relating to allegations and alleged evidence is being given much publicity and likely to prejudice the trial of the persons accused in the FIRs including the petitioner.

The Petitioner argued that such misleading information is likely to place her and her family members at risk.

In light of this, the court has given 2 weeks to the concerned DCP to file the said affidavit.

The matter will next be taken up on July 09.

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