The Delhi High Court on Wednesday observed that “a situation like 1984 must not be repeated again, not under the watch of this Court.”
“We cannot let another 1984-like event happen in this country,” Justice S Muralidhar said on Tuesday midnight while hearing a plea seeking FIR for those involved in the ongoing violence in Northeast Delhi.
In a strongly-worded message to the government – at the centre and in Delhi – to work together to combat violence, the court observed that “it was time to provide Z-level security to citizens, as it was for everyone.”
The Delhi High Court has asked administration to set up helplines to help victims, private ambulances to be provided for safe passage of victims.
The court’s comment came after it watched a video of BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who has a history of making hate-filled communal rants, make yet another incendiary speech in northeast Delhi’s Maujpur neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon, according to ND TV.
The high court said that there should be no delay in registering FIRs over alleged hate speeches and urged the police ‘to seriously consider consequences’.
The court has also directed the officials to set up shelters for rehabilitation along with basic facilities, India TV reported.
It added that the highest constitutional functionaries who move with Z-security should reach out to the affected people to give them confidence that law is functioning.
Tensions ran high in the courtroom this afternoon as the High Court grilled Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing for Delhi Police, over Mishra’s video and a plea, filed late last night, seeking lodging of FIRs and the arrests of those involved in the violence.
The plea referred to the BJP leader’s video and held him responsible for inciting and orchestrating violence.
At least 23 people, including a Delhi Police head constable and an IB official , have died so far in the riots that broke out on Monday in Maujpur and Jafrabad areas of Delhi’s North East district.