Supreme Court asks High Court to list Delhi riots’ hate speech cases on March 6

New Delhi, March 4: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it was “unjustified” on the part of the Delhi High Court to delay the pleas for arrest and prosecution of leaders who instigated the communal rampage in the National Capital and directed the High Court to list the petitions on Friday (March 6).

Less than a week ago, the High Court adjourned till April 13 the hearing of petitions seeking immediate registration of FIRs against those who egged mobs on with their hate speeches. It had seemed to agree with the government that the “atmosphere was not conducive” for action.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad A. Bobde said April 13 was too far away. It requested Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.N. Patel to decide the petitions “as expeditiously as possible”.

With this, the Supreme Court signed off the case, saying it did not want to “assume jurisdiction” over the petitions when the High Court was already on the job.

In parting, the CJI wished the High Court to explore the possibility of finding a “peaceful resolution” to pleas made by victims to prosecute the instigators.

The CJI even suggested that victims, represented by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, put up names of their leaders before the High Court in order to initiate a peace parley with the other side and the ruling BJP. This is when victims had made specific allegations against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Abhay Verma of instigating violence. Mr. Thakur is a Minister of State for Finance.

“We want to see if peace is possible,” Chief Justice Bobde reasoned.

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-asks-high-court-to-list-delhi-riots-cases-on-march-6/article30982103.ece