A local court in Delhi has ordered that a case be filed against a police officer for hate crime involvement in the February 2020 communal riots. The court also expressed displeasure that the investigating officer failed to look into the alleged role of former MLA Kapil Mishra in the riots. The court stated that the officer had attempted to cover up the matter.
According to a report by news agency PTI, Judicial Magistrate Udbhav Kumar Jain was hearing an application under Section 156(3) of the CrPC, which sought an FIR against the SHO of Jyoti Nagar and others. Under this section, the magistrate has the authority to direct the police officer to investigate a cognizable offense.
Questions Over Police’s Role
Mohammad Wasim, the complainant, claimed that he and four others were assaulted and forced to sing the national anthem on the day of the riots, February 24. A video had gone viral, showing police officers beating up the group and forcing them to sing “Vande Mataram.”
In his January 18 order, the court stated that it was clear that the SHO of Jyoti Nagar and other officers were involved in hate crimes. The court directed that an FIR be filed against the SHO under Sections 295A, 342, 506, and 323 of the IPC. The current SHO was ordered to assign the responsibility of investigating this case, including the roles of other police officers, to a responsible officer.
Court’s Remarks on Kapil Mishra
The court also mentioned that Wasim had claimed that the rioting mob was being led by Kapil Mishra. The complainant alleged that police officers were assisting Mishra, as they were seen attacking Muslims and firing bullets. The violence forced protesters, women, and children to flee for their lives. According to Wasim, Mishra led many of the rioters who were chanting slogans and heading towards Chandbagh.
Regarding the allegations against Kapil Mishra, the court said it seemed that the investigating officer was more concerned about the police officers than conducting a proper investigation into Mishra’s role. The court pointed out that such individuals (like Mishra) have the power to influence public opinion or behavior, and they are expected to act responsibly within the framework of the Constitution.
