Delhi Riots: Delhi HC Issues Notice On Application Seeking NIA Investigation, FIR Against Swara Bhasker, Amanatullah Khan, Harsh Mander Etc

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to Delhi Government, Central Government and Delhi police in a plea seeking FIR and NIA investigation against Swara Bhasker, Harsh Mander, RJ Sayema, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan and others for allegedly making hate speeches.

The Division Bench Of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Hari Shankar will next take up this matter on April 13

Advocate Sanjjiiv Kkumar has moved an application before the Delhi High Court seeking impleadment in a pending petition on Delhi riots.

Kkumar has sought FIRs to be registered against personalities such as actor Swara Bhaskar, RJ Sayema, activist Harsh Mander and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan.

Further, he has also asked for the National Investigation Agency to investigate the violence carried out during the riots.

'The plan of this Urban Naxal group was to defame India, to paint India as Failed State and thus to bleed my Mother India internationally, economically and in every way possible', the petition states.

He has further alleged that the aforementioned personalities had a plan to create a 'siege' in Delhi by blockage of roads. He says:

'The plan seems to got failed as the perpetrators of the Delhi Seige hasn't anticipated that People mostly Hindus will react to any further Road Blockage and they couldn't divert the police from other locations. This was their Guerilla Tactics to block Roads of Delhi by creating Riots and Riots like situation all over Delhi.'

It is alleged that due to the provocative statements made by BJP leaders such as Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur Parvesh Verma, assailants linked to these politicians carried out multiple brutal assaults on the unarmed persons who were protesting against the CAA.

Further, it is also submitted that around 10 persons have been killed and 160 have been injured, and many houses and shops have been burnt in areas such as Maujpur, Jaffrabad, Kardampuri, Bhajan Pura, Behrampuri, etc.

'This incident (Kapil Mishra's speech) led to a gathering of armed mobs in Maujpur with loud chanting of communal slurs and chanting of 'Goli Maro Salon Ko' and 'Jai Shri Ram', the petition states.

The Petitioner has further alleged that on the incidents that took place on February 24, the Delhi Police started instigating the armed mob of people who were chanting communally charged slogans such as 'Jai Shri Ram'. It is mentioned:

"In Bhajanpura, 100 RSS goons mobilised in the area and distributed weapons and swords to people."

It is also stated in the petition that stone pelting by "ánti-social" elements, in the presence of the police, has been recorded in CCTV cameras installed by the Delhi Government and there are footages available on social media for evidence.

In light of the same, the Petitioner has asked for an FIR to be lodged against Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, and other rioters under sections 147, 148, 149, 153A, 153B, 120B of the Indian Penal Code, as well as, sections 3 and 4 of the Damage To Public Property Act. Their immediate arrest has also been sought.

The Petitioner has also asked for a Judicial Enquiry, headed by a retired judge, to inquire into the alleged instances of communal violence, identify the police persons involved in the rioting, and direct the dismissal of such personnel in accordance with law.

Apart from seeking compensation for the deceased and injured persons, the plea also seeks deployment of army to maintain the law and order situation in the affected areas.

Further, the Petitioner has asked for preservation of the CCTV footage, family access to the detained persons, and a direction to be issued to the central government to ensure the safety and protection of all the protest sites.