Delhi Govt. Says HC Trial In Riots And Farmers’ Protest Are A ‘Mockery’

The argument was presented during the hearing of a petition filed by the Delhi government in August where it had contested the appointment of SPPs by the recommendation of the Delhi police.

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New Delhi: The Delhi government on Friday told the Delhi HC that the trials in the Northeast Delhi Riots and Farmers’ protests have become a “mockery” after the Lieutenant Governor (LG) appointed the special public prosecutors (SPPs) suggested by the Delhi police, Indian Express reported.

“The constitutional bench said it is purely in the domain of the state government and L-G is bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers. L-G has gone completely contrary to that and appointed prosecutors based on the suggestion of Delhi Police,” Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra representing the Delhi government told the HC bench.

The argument was presented during the hearing of a petition filed by the Delhi government in August where it had contested the appointment of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) by the recommendation of the Delhi police. According to the petition filed by the Delhi government, Delhi police and LG have been interfering in the appointment of SPPs for a long time. The LG and the center were given four months' time to file their response but did not file an affidavit till now.

As per the Express report, in January 2021, the Delhi police had requested the appointment of three SPPs in the Northeast Delhi riots case, and 11 SPPs in February 2021 in the farmers’ protest case. Due to a difference of opinion between the LG and Delhi government, the appointments were later approved by the President.

“There is no difference between the police and prosecution today. The entire trial is a mockery. If the investigating agency is allowed to enter the domain of the prosecution, what is the fairness left in the entire criminal procedure… Prosecution’s only allegiance is to the truth and to the majesty of the court and today with these orders, the prosecution, and the investigating agency, there is complete synergy between them,” Mehra submitted in the court.

The Delhi HC has now adjourned the hearing of the case till January 22, 2022, as the center and the LG sought time to file their response, reported ANI.