"Very Sensitive In Nature": Court Expresses Concern Over Delay In Disposal Of Delhi Riots Cases Due To Non Appearance Of SPPs, Seeks Report On Further Appointment

Expressing it's concern over the delay in disposal of cases concerning the North East Delhi riots due to non appearance of Special Public Prosecutors, a Delhi Court yesterday sought report from the DCP concerned for taking the issue 'seriously' and also to appoint further SPPs to represent the prosecution in the matters.

"Earlier also, I had communicated this state of affairs to the DCP, NE with instructions to take corrective measures. Let a copy of this order be sent to the DCP, NE who is impressed upon to take this aspect seriously and appoint further SPPs to represent the State in these riot cases," Additional Sessions Judge Virender Bhat ordered.

The Court directed the DCP, North East to submit a report on the issue within a period of one week.

The Court was dealing with FIR 59/2020 registered at Karawal Nagar Police Station for the examination of prosecution witnesses.

However, when the matter was taken up, Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad showed his inability to appear in the matter as he was occupied in the Delhi High Court.

Interestingly, when two other Special Public Prosecutors were called to represent the prosecution in the matter, they also expressed their inability to appear and did not reply positively.

"This is the state of affairs with regards to these riot cases which are very sensitive in nature and for which this Special Court was set up. These cases were assigned to a panel of Special PPs formed by the police so as to ensure proper and prosecution of these cases," the Court noted at the outset.

It added:

"But this court has found in several cases that the Ld.Special PPs, to whom the cases are assigned, do not appear in the court on account of which cases have to be adjourned without conducting any proceedings thereby resulting in the delay of their disposal."

Earlier also, a CMM Court had pulled up the Delhi Police for failure of its police officers to take appropriate measures for prosecution of Delhi riots cases thereby causing avoiding delay in committal or trials of the cases.

"Such lackadaisical approach on the part of the prosecution as well as the Investigating Agency in riots cases has been repeatedly brought to the notice of not only the DCP North East and Joint CP Eastern Range but has also been brought to the notice of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. However, no steps for proper prosecution of the cases seem to have been taken by either of them and if taken, have not yet been brought to the notice of this Court," the Court had said.

The Commissioner of Police, Delhi was directed to personally look into the issues pointed out by the Court and also to ensure that the prosecution of riots cases is done effectively.

Title: State v. Salman

Click Here To Read Order