New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a batch of petitions seeking registration of FIRs against political leaders over alleged “hate speeches” linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. The court also rejected pleas seeking an independent investigation into the riots and the 2019 violence at Jamia Millia Islamia.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain dismissed the petitions, which had been pending since 2020. The detailed judgment is awaited.
Pleas sought FIRs against political leaders
One of the petitions sought registration of FIRs against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Abhay Verma, alleging that their speeches contributed to the violence.
Another petition sought action over alleged hate speeches by several opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Sisodia and Asaduddin Owaisi.
The petitions also sought investigations into alleged police inaction and misconduct during the riots.
Pleas also sought independent probe into Delhi riots
Some petitions sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or another independent mechanism to investigate the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
The court also dealt with petitions seeking an independent probe into alleged police action at Jamia Millia Islamia during the 2019 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Another plea had sought an NIA investigation into alleged funding and sponsorship of the anti-CAA protests.
The 2020 Northeast Delhi riots left at least 53 people dead and around 700 injured, according to reports.