The Supreme Court today rebuked the Delhi Police over slow progress in the investigation related to the hate speech delivered during a Hindu Yuva Vahini event organised under the leadership of Sudarshan News TV editor Suresh Chavhanke in Delhi in December, 2021.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha directed the Investigating Officer to place on record the steps taken during the probe within a period of two weeks.
The Apex Court expressed its unhappiness over the fact that the FIR was lodged five months after the incident and no charge sheet has been filed yet.
The bench was hearing a contempt petition filed by activist and great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi, alleging that the Delhi Police has violated the directions issued in the Tehseen Poonawalla case.
The Bench asked Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing Delhi Police, why police took five months to register an FIR in the case? It further asked the ASG about the steps taken after registration of FIR on May 4, 2021, stating that eight months have passed since. It further inquired about the arrests made in the case, besides the number people examined and the progress made.
The ASG replied that the delay was not deliberate and that the police was doing the verification. He agreed to file a statement after taking instructions.
Calling it a ‘serious matter,’ Advocate Shadan Farasat requested the Supreme Court to read the transcripts of the speeches made at the event, where statements against the Muslim community were allegedly made.
The ASG submitted that there was no contempt of directions issued by this court in Tehseen Poonawalla.
The Apex Court ruled that apart from the issue of contempt, it would be necessary for the Investigating Officer to place on record the steps which have been taken pursuant to the investigation since the incident took place on 19 December, 2021. The affidavit shall be filed within a period of two weeks.
(Case title: Tushar Gandhi vs Rakesh Asthana)