The High Court of Delhi has restrained the Delhi Police from issuing any statements or circulating information regarding allegations and evidence allegedly collected against one of the founding members of Pinjra Tod, Devanga Kalita, or other accused, to any person, including to the media or on social media platforms.
The bench presided by Justice Vibhu Bakhru was hearing a petition filed by Devanga Kalita, one of the founding members of Pinjra Tod seeking directions to Delhi Police to not leak any allegations pertaining to the Petitioner to the media pending investigation, and also to withdraw all allegations against her.
Counsel for the Petitioner, Advocate Adit S Pujari submitted that the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has been selectively leaking certain information regarding the allegations made against the petitioner and the evidence allegedly collected against her.
Mr Pujari further referred to a note allegedly circulated by the Crime Branch contending that the Crime Branch is leaking out such selective information and evidence to persons from the media. He contended that “such information relating to allegations and alleged evidence is being given much publicity and likely to prejudice the trial of the persons accused in the FIRs including the petitioner. He also refers to news report circulated in Assam whereby certain selective information against the petitioner has been published. He states that such misleading information is likely to place the petitioner and her family members at risk.”
The bench has directed the DCP of the Crime Branch to file a personal affidavit affirming whether any such information as is mentioned in the petition has been circulated by the officials of the Crime Branch to third persons, journalists or on social media within a period of two weeks.
The matter has been posted for next hearing on July 9.
-India Legal Bureau