Delhi HC expresses displeasure at the inaction of Delhi Police in lodging FIRs against inflammatory speeches made by BJP leaders

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi Police to take a decision on the registration of the First Information Reports (FIRs) against Bhartiya Janta Party leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Sahib Singh for their alleged inflammatory speeches.

A two-judge bench of Justice S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh also asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to consider not only the allegedly inflammatory video clips of the three political leaders but also take note of the similar clips.

The court was hearing a petition filed by social activist Harsh Mander. The matter will be taken up again tomorrow. Earlier today, the court issued a notice to the Commissioner of Delhi Police.

In his petition, Harsh Mander has sought constitution of Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the ongoing violence in North-East part of Delhi, preservation of the CCTV footage, family access to the detained persons, compensation to the victims, safety and protection of all the protests sites, and registration of FIR against leaders inciting violence through hate speech among other things.

Courtroom exchange

Appearing for the Police Commissioner, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before the court that the nature of prayers in the petition was not urgent in nature. He stated "the prayer came after 20 days of the statement. Let us not make it unpleasant".

To which Justice Muralidhar stated, "the situation out there is unpleasant".

"I amazed at the state of affairs of Delhi Police", Justice Muralidhar remarked on the statement of the Delhi Police Officer present in the court that he had not seen the video clip of Kapil Mishra.

Solicitor General Mehta also submitted before the court that the question of registration of FIR and when to register is very crucial and that the police would take a call at an appropriate stage.