'Can't allow 1984 repeat': Delhi HC asks Centre, state to meet Delhi victims

HC asked the Delhi government to ensure shelter homes have adequate supplies

delhi security A woman carrying a child walks past security forces in a violence-hit area of Delhi | Reuters

A two-justice bench of the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the “highest functionaries” of the state and Central governments to personally meet victims of two days of violence in Delhi.

The bench of justices S. Muralidhar and Anup J Bhambhani declared, "This is time to reach out and do confidence building". Justice Muralidhar declared, "We can't let another 1984 scenario happen in this city; not under the watch of this court."

Muralidhar also referred to the killing of an Intelligence Bureau officer in northeast Delhi, allegedly in stone pelting.

The Delhi High Court asked officials to ensure security for funerals. Live Law reported the Delhi High Court appointed advocate Zubeda Begum as a nodal officer to coordinate with victims and ensure implementation of orders. The Delhi High Court also asked the Delhi government to ensure shelter homes have adequate supplies for rehabilitation of displaced victims.

The Delhi High Court passed the orders while continuing hearing of a plea seeking protection for safe passage for people injured in the violence. The Delhi High Court held a midnight hearing to direct police to arrange for safe passage.

Kapil Mishra clip

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court played a clip of an allegedly provocative speech by BJP leader Kapil Mishra. Mishra's rally at Maujpur on Sunday has been attributed as being a factor that instigated the violence. The Delhi High Court ordered the clip to be played after a police official claimed he had not seen the speech.

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices Muralidhar and Talwant Singh. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to advise the police commissioner on lodging of FIRs relating to alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders.

"This is really concerning. There are so many TVs in your office; how can police officer say that he hasn't watched the videos. I'm really appalled by the state of affairs of Delhi Police," Justice Muralidhar was quoted as saying by Live Law.

The bench was hearing a plea by activist Harsh Mander seeking a probe into the violence.