HC restrains Delhi Police from giving information on riot cases

The High Court on Monday restrained Delhi Police from issuing any communication to the media relating to the north-east Delhi riots cases, including that of Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita, till the trial in the cases commence.

“The cases concerning communal riots are undoubtedly sensitive,” Justice Vibhu Bakru remarked, while ordering the police “not to issue any further communication naming any accused or any witness till the charges, if any, are framed and the trial is commenced”. The court also ordered that unless directed otherwise, the trial is required to be conducted in open court.

The decision came on Ms. Kalita’s petition seeking direction to Delhi Police to not leak any allegations pertaining to her to the media pending investigation. Ms. Kalita had argued that a press note issued on June 2 by police selectively leaking information relating to her case was causing grave prejudice to her.