Victim’s complaint against BJP councillor included in Delhi riots FIR: Police tells HC

Nisar Ahmed had alleged that BJP councillor Kanhaiya Lal had led a mob in the Gokulpuri area, and later told the court that he threatened him too.

Representational image of the violence in Gokulpuri, part of the northeast Delhi riots in February 2020 | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

New Delhi: A Delhi riots victim’s complaint that accused BJP councillor Kanhaiya Lal of leading a mob and later threatening him has been clubbed with the main FIR in the case, police informed the Delhi High Court Wednesday.

The complaint, by one Nisar Ahmed, was filed in the Gokulpuri Police Station on 18 March, alleging that Lal was leading a mob in the area on 24 February. Ahmed later petitioned the court for protection, alleging that Lal had ‘intimidated’ him after his complaint, and also demanded registration of an FIR.

The Delhi High Court, in its Wednesday order, stated that the police informed it that an FIR has now been registered at Gokulpuri police station.

“…FIR No.78/2020 has been registered at Police Station Gokulpuri wherein complaint of the petitioner is also clubbed, and petitioner has been made witness in three other FIRs and details of the same shall be furnished to counsel for the petitioner,” the court order read.

The Delhi Police further filed a status report with the court, saying a staff member has been briefed to remain in touch with Ahmed. “In case we receive any complaint regarding threat to him, action will be taken as per law,” the police said in the status report.

Police complaint

In his complaint to the police, Ahmed had alleged that on the night of 24 February, he had seen a mob in his area “carrying swords, trishuls, large axes and pistols” and “chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Ka**o ko sabak sikhao’ (using a pejorative colloquialism for Muslims), ‘aag lagao’ (set fire), ‘maaro’ (kill)”.

According to Ahmed, the mob was being led by councillor Kanhaiya Lal.

“That’s when I saw Yogendra Jeanswala and councillor Kanhaiya Lal, who was leading the mob. Kanhaiya Lal brought the mob towards Yogendra Jeanswala’s shop and they stopped there. The entire mob began shouting slogans loudly,” Ahmed’s complaint, filed in March, had said.

Petition before the high court

Ahmed’s petition in the Delhi High Court, filed by Supreme Court advocate M.R. Shamshad, had detailed how he was facing “threats and intimidation” from BJP councillor Lal and “some unknown people”.

The petition named four people — Sonu Kuttewala, Michael, Mowgli and Tinku — who allegedly came to his house on 25 February with a “large crowd of 200 people”. The petition claimed Ahmed’s belongings worth Rs 10 lakh were looted by the mob.

“His three motorcycles… were dragged out into the road and set ablaze. A large heavy trunk containing his daughter-in-law’s jewellery and other personal effects from her marriage to the petitioner’s son was also looted,” the petition claimed.

Ahmed then went on to file multiple complaints at the Gokulpuri police station in March, but began receiving threatening calls from 2 April, the petition alleged.

“One Gagan who represents himself to be with Delhi Police called the petitioner and made him speak to Kanhaiya Lal (BJP councillor). The councillor is heard inquiring as to how Mowgli was being investigated for his role in the Delhi riots. The councillor is heard asking the petitioner if the petitioner had named Mowgli in his complaint,” the petition stated.

“The petitioner thereafter started to receive phone calls from local residents both known and unknown to him, enquiring into his FIR and calling him to meet and settle the matter,” it added.