'Very Serious Matter' : Delhi Commission For Women Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Disha Ravi's Arrest In 'Toolkit' Case

The Delhi Commission for Women took suo moto cognizance of media reports that 21-year old climate activist DishaRavi was arrested in violation of her constitutional rights under Article 22.

Observing that it was "a serious matter", the Commission head Swati Maliwal has sought a reply from the Delhi police on the following :

1. Copy of FIR registered in the matter.

2. Reasons for allegedly not producing the arrested girl before the local court for transit remand.

3. Reasons for allegedly not providing the lawyer of her choice to the girl when she was produced before the court in Delhi.

4 Detailed action taken report in the above matter.

In a letter written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police Cyber Crime Cell, the DCW pointed out that the Delhi High Court, in a 2019 order, had stated: "Endeavor should be made to obtain transit remand after producing the arrestee before the nearest Magistrate unless exigencies of the situation warrant otherwise."

The letter also mentioned Article 22(1) of the Constitution of India which says that every person arrested has the right to be defended by a "legal practitioner of his choice

"As per media reports, she was arrested by the Delhi Police from Bengaluru on 13.02.2021 allegedly for supporting farmer's protest. It has been alleged in media by some activists that she was taken to Delhi from Bengaluru by the Delhi Police with no disclosure of her whereabouts, not even to hen parents. It was also alleged that she was brought to Delhi from Bengaluru without presenting her before a local court for transit remand. It has been further alleged in media reports that Ms. Disha Ravi was produced before the court in Delhi without lawyer of her choice being present in the court", the letter said.