Delhi High Court Intervenes in Activists' Detention Case
The Delhi High Court has taken a firm stance on the alleged illegal detention of activists, ordering the city police to provide a detailed explanation. In a special Sunday hearing, the court demanded clarity on the legal authority used to detain individuals last week.
Court Directs Preservation of Evidence
A bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja issued a directive for the preservation of relevant CCTV footage. This footage is crucial as it captures the moments when police allegedly took the activists away from public areas.
The court emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, "We are issuing notice to find out what happened." However, it deferred a decision on preserving CCTV footage from the Special Cell office, scheduling further discussion for March 27.
Police Response and Legal Arguments
During the hearing, Delhi Police counsel asserted that all detained persons had been released and described the matter as "not so simple." The police maintained that the FIR related to the case is confidential, a point contested by the petitioners' lawyers.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing one of the petitioners, labeled the situation "alarming" and urged the court to compel police to disclose the FIR. The bench responded by ordering the police to file an affidavit within a week, detailing the circumstances and legal basis for the detentions.
Allegations of Illegal Actions
Petitioners' counsel alleged that around 10 activists, including students, were "picked up" unlawfully from locations such as outside Dayal Singh College and Vijay Nagar. They claimed these individuals were not presented before a magistrate and suffered abuse and torture while in custody.
One petition highlighted the case of Lakshita Rajora, a 22-year-old activist allegedly detained since March 13. Her sister, Sagrika Rajora, filed a habeas corpus petition seeking her immediate production. The plea noted that Lakshita was last seen at the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch office in Vijay Nagar and had previously endured illegal abduction and custodial torture by Delhi Police Special Cell eight months ago.
Court's Cautious Approach
Despite the serious allegations, the court adopted a measured response. When asked to extend protection to the activists, the bench replied, "We don't know what they are required for. We can't say anything." It also listed a separate petition for Monday concerning an activist whose counsel claimed was still not released, contradicting police assurances.
The lawyers argued that the activists were only released after news broke about the high court's hearing, suggesting potential procedural violations. The court's ongoing scrutiny aims to uphold legal standards and ensure accountability in this contentious case.
