The Delhi High Court dismissed petitions seeking action against politicians for hate speeches linked to the 2020 Delhi riots and an SIT probe into police conduct at Jamia Millia Islamia during 2019 CAA protests. The Court held existing probes sufficient.
Delhi HC Dismisses Petitions on 2020 Riots and Jamia Police Action
A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court, comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain, on Monday dismissed a series of petitions demanding action against political figures for alleged hate speeches preceding the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The bench also rejected pleas for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into allegations of police violence at Jamia Millia Islamia during anti-CAA demonstrations in 2019.
The Court noted that multiple investigations, including by the Special Investigation Cell and judicial commissions, were already underway. It held that no additional SIT was warranted at this stage, citing the principle of non-interference where competent agencies are actively investigating. Regarding hate speech, the Court emphasized that free speech does not extend to incitement to violence, but found the available material insufficient to compel immediate prosecution.
For practitioners, this underscores the judiciary's reluctance to order parallel investigations when existing mechanisms are in motion. Public interest litigants must demonstrate clear inadequacy or bias in ongoing probes to succeed. The decision also reflects the high threshold for judicial intervention in political speech during protests.
