Supreme Court takes note of 'no palpable progress' in hate-speech probe; check details
The law officer said the Delhi police have not committed any contempt of the Supreme Court judgement in the Tehseen Poonawala case in which several directions were given to effectively deal with hate crimes.
FollowThe Supreme Court on Friday (January 13) expressed several concerns about the manner in which TV channels are functioning while hearing a batch of petitions filed in relation to hate speech incidents.
The top court also posed a volley of questions to Delhi police over the delay in registration of an FIR and "no palpable progress" made so far in the investigation of a case of hate speeches made at religious assemblies in the national capital in 2021 and sought a report from the investigating officer within two weeks.
Also read: Air India to cancel some domestic flights due to Indian Air Force's Republic Day preparations
"What are you doing in terms of investigation? The incident took place on December 19, the FIR was registered actually five months later on May 4, 2022. Why do you require five months to register an FIR?" a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha said.
"What have you done? How many arrests have been made? How many people have you examined?" the CJI asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraja.
The law officer said the Delhi police have not committed any contempt of the Supreme Court judgement in the Tehseen Poonawala case in which several directions were given to effectively deal with hate crimes.
Also read: Amit Shah holds high-level meeting over security issues in Jammu and Kashmir
"There was a requirement for registration of an FIR. The FIR was not registered for five months. The Delhi police in their counter affidavit (reply) say that the investigation is underway. They do not even say that they have even called anybody for interrogation. They have not arrested anybody. No charge sheet has been filed," the lawyer said.
The bench then took note of the submissions of Gandhi that "no palpable progress" had been made in the probe and sought a report from the Investigating Officer (IO) within two weeks.
The top court was hearing a contempt petition filed by activist Tushar Gandhi alleging inaction by Uttarakhand and Delhi Police in alleged hate speech cases.
On November 11 last year, the bench had discharged the Uttarakhand government and its police chief from a list of parties to the contempt plea. The contempt petition was filed seeking punishment for the police chief of Delhi and Uttarakhand for their alleged inaction in the cases in violation of the apex court judgment in the Tehseen Poonawala case.
In the judgement, the top court had laid down guidelines as to what action needed to be taken in hate crimes, including mob lynching.
The plea claimed immediately after the events took place, the speeches were available in public domain but still the Uttarakhand Police and the Delhi Police did not act against the offenders. The hate speeches were made at the 'dharma sansad' held in Haridwar from December 17 to 19, 2021 and in Delhi on December 19, 2021, the petition alleged.
(With inputs from PTI)
