New Delhi: In an interim order issued Wednesday, the Delhi High Court restrained the Delhi Police from issuing any statement to the media or on any social media platforms, on those accused in the Northeast Delhi riots cases.
Hearing a petition filed by Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita, Justice Vibhu Bakhru ordered, “In the meanwhile, the respondent is restrained from issuing any such statements or circulating information regarding allegations and evidence allegedly collected against the petitioner (Kalita) or other accused, to any person, including to the media or on social media platforms.”
In her plea, Kalita accused the Delhi Police of “selectively leaking” information on allegations against her.
Kalita, along with Natasha Narwal, both members of the Pinjra Tod collective and PhD students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, were arrested on 23 May in connection with the February riots in Northeast Delhi. They were accused of obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty by the Delhi Police in Jafrabad, and were granted bail the very next day.
However, within minutes of the bail order being passed, they were arrested again on the basis of another FIR, charging them under the Arms Act as well as Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
Days later, they were charged with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as well.
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‘Crime Branch selectively leaking information’
According to the court order, Kalita has approached the court alleging that the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has been “selectively leaking” information on the allegations against her and the evidence collected so far. She has submitted that the leaked information is misleading.
The court order noted that to bolster her claims, her lawyer Adit S. Pujari referred to a note circulated by the Crime Branch. He then contended that this is likely to prejudice the trial of all the accused in the case, including Kalita.
Pujari also asserted that the information being leaked is likely to place Kalita and her family members at risk.
Taking note of the submissions, the court directed the deputy commissioner of police of the Crime Branch to file a personal affidavit affirming whether information of the sort mentioned in the petition was circulated by the officials of the Crime Branch to journalists or on social media.
The case will next be heard on 9 July.
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BJP is a thug government, abusing power 24/7, hiding facts, wasting tax money, converting Scam to legal loans off.