[Marxistindia] Statement by Brinda Karat on Hate Speech Case Dismissal

[news from the cpi(m)]

August 27, 2020


Press Statement


Statement by CPI(M) Polit Bureau Member, Brinda Karat, on Hate Speech  
Case against Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma
Being Dismissed by Magistrate Court


The ruling is surprising and disappointing. We had filed a complaint  
with Delhi police in January against the hate speeches made by BJP  
leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma and asked for filing of a FIR  
under relevant provisions including Sec 153 a IPC. After the Police  
refused to respond, we filed an application in the appropriate  
Magistrate's Court as per procedure.

The court heard full arguments from our side as the Complainants, as  
well as from the Delhi Police who argued that no cognizable offence  
was made out. Judgement was reserved but since others went to the High  
Court it was delayed. Now that HC asked magistrate to dispose of the  
application, at this stage to rule that prior sanction even to direct  
registration of a FIR is required under Section 196 of CrPC is most  
surprising. The police had not raised this objection. Why hear  
arguments on merits then? Why not hold this at the threshold in  
February?

This is an unfair judicial process which has resulted in excusing  
those who make hate speeches even where there is prima facie evidence.




For CPI(M) Central Committee Office