New Delhi:CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an early hearing in her plea for directions to police to make public the list of people arrested in connection with communal violence in northeast Delhi in February this year.
The application for preponing the date of hearing of the petition is likely to be listed on May 12.
The main petition, which has sought that a list of those arrested to be put up outside police control room and police stations in the district, should be updated on a case-by-case basis. It is listed for hearing on June 16.
The application for early hearing said the country is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared nationwide lockdown due to which people are not allowed to go out except for essential services.
However, Delhi Police has continued its probe in connection with certain FIRs related to the Delhi violence and as per media reports, the MHA has directed police to ensure that the probe does not slow down and insisted that arrests should continue, resulting in around 50 arrests in the first two weeks of the lockdown itself, it said.
"Therefore, in this situation when there is limited access to courts, unavailability of lawyers, it is more important on the part of Delhi Police to follow the law of the land, to comply with the provisions of CrPC with due regard for health, safety and fundamental rights of the concerned people," the plea, filed through advocate Tara Narula, said.
It said during the investigation, people are unable to avail their rights and the family members are given proper information about those arrested or detained by police.