Delhi HC restrains cops from issuing any statement regarding allegations and evidence against Pinjra Tod activists Devangana Kalita and others accused  

THE Delhi High Court on June 10 restrained the Delhi Police from issuing any statements or circulating information regarding allegations and evidence allegedly collected against Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita and others accused in FIRs pertaining to anti-CAA protests and Delhi riots, to any person, including to the media or on social media platforms.

The order followed a petition filed by Devangana Kalita alleging that the Crime Branch had been ‘selectively leaking’ certain information regarding the allegations made and evidence collected against her. She added that information is selective and also misleading. Petitioner made reference to a news report circulated in Assam whereby certain selective information against the petitioner had been published. Such misleading information is likely to place the petitioner and her family members at risk.

In her plea, Kalita referred to a note allegedly circulated by the Crime Branch and contended that the Crime Branch was leaking out such selective information and evidence to persons from the media. Further, it was contended that such information is receiving much publicity and likely to prejudice the trial of all accused persons. While issuing this order, Justice Vibhu Bakru directed the concerned DCP of the Crime Branch to file a personal affidavit affirming whether such information had been circulated by officials of Crime Branch to third persons, journalists or on social media.

As per the petition, Kalita is accused in four FIRs, including one for allegedly participating in protests in Darya Ganj on December 20 last year and two others for her alleged role in the anti-CAA Jafrabad sit-in protest in February. The details are as follows-

i. FIR No. 48/2020 P.S. Jafrabad dated 20.02.2020 in which she is on bail;

ii. FIR No. 50/2020 P.S. Jafrabad dated 26.02.2020 in which she is in judicial custody;

iii. FIR No. 59/2020 P.S. Crime Branch dated 06.03.2020 in which she is in Police Custody remand till 08.06.2020;

iv. FIR No. 250/2020 P.S. Daryaganj in which he was arrested and released on bail on 02.06.2020.

The matter would be heard next on July 9.

 

Read the Order here:

[pdfviewer]http://theleaflet.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Devangana_Kalita_vs_State___June_10.pdf[/pdfviewer]