Delhi High Court dismisses all pleas on 2020 riots and Jamia violence, rejects SIT probe demand
The court rejected demands for an independent or SIT probe, FIRs against political leaders and action against police officers over the 2020 Delhi riots and 2019 Jamia violence.
The Delhi High Court has delivered its verdict on several petitions linked to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots and the 2019 Jamia violence. The court rejected the demand for an independent probe, or an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), into both incidents.
The petitions had also sought FIRs against political leaders accused of making inflammatory speeches, and action against police officers accused of negligence in duty. The court did not allow these demands either.
The petitions had questioned the manner of the Delhi Police investigation. They also sought a case against Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma. The court dismissed all the petitions, including these demands.
A petition by CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat sought an independent investigation into the alleged misconduct and negligence of the police, the RAF and other government officials. Another petition sought an NIA probe into the alleged funding and support received by anti-CAA movements.
In February 2020, tension spread in North-East Delhi against the backdrop of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Around 23 February, violence broke out in several areas, including Jaffrabad and Maujpur. Stone-pelting, arson and violent clashes continued for several days.
The violence left 53 people dead, including Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma, and more than 200 injured. Homes, shops, vehicles and places of worship also suffered heavy damage. According to an account given in the petitions, communal violence broke out on 24 February 2020 during protests against the CAA and the NRC, in which at least 53 people were killed and about 700 were injured.
The Jamia case dates to 15 December 2019. During the agitation against the CAA, the situation turned violent in the Jamia area. After incidents of stone-pelting and vehicle arson, the police used batons and tear gas.
The police then entered the campus of Jamia Millia Islamia University, which led to a major controversy. Allegations of action against students were also made. With the dismissal of all petitions seeking an SIT probe, FIRs against leaders and action against officials in both incidents, an important court ruling has come in the matter.
