N-E Delhi violence: Death toll climbs to 37

Two more death have been reported.

The violence was preceded by a clash between the supporters and protestors of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to religious persecution before 2015. 

The violence, which began on Monday morning, continued till Tuesday night.

More than 200 people have been injured.

The situation improved on Wednesday morning but remained tensed.

After Tuesday night, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday went to the riot-hit areas to instill confidence in local people.

Delhi HC on hate speeches

The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave one month to the Centre to give an update on the action taken against the hate speeches given by several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly inciting violence in the national capital that has claimed 37 lives leaving more than 200 others injured.

A two-judge bench- headed by Justice S Muralidhar- pulled up the Delhi cops on Wednesday and urged them to file the First Information Reports (FIRs) against four BJP men- Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Abhay Verma- over their hate speeches.

Also the judges played the videos of the hate speeches given by the four BJP men.

Just days before the violence, Mishra was heard threatening police to take action if they fail to clear the roads blocked by the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protestors within three days.

What did the bench say on Wednesday?

Slamming the central and Delhi governments, Justice Muralidhar on Wednesday said the court cannot let another 1984 riot, which took place after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to happen.

The High Court judge also asked the central and Delhi government to work together to combat the violence in the national capital.

Transfer of Justice S Muralidhar

Justice S Muralidhar was transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday night, triggering a political slugfest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.

The notification of Justice Muralidhar's transfer, which was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium on Feb 12, was however issued at 11 pm on Wednesday.

AAP councilor under scanner

After recovering a large number of petrol bombs, bricks and stones from the rooftop of a house which belongs to Hussain on Thursday morning, the Delhi Police have started probe into his role in the deadly violence in northeast Delhi, officials said.

Earlier on Wednesday, kins of young Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma, whose body was reportedly found in a drain in Chand Bagh, alleged that the 26-year-old IB officer was kidnapped and murdered by Tahir Hussain and his followers while he was returning home from office.

Md. Tahir Hussain, an AAP councilor from Ward no. 59 (Nehru Vihar) of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), has also been blamed for inciting his community's people during the communal violence over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest and leading an attack from his house's rooftop.

The AAP councilor, however, denied all allegations against him and claimed his house as well as rooftop were 'hijacked' by rioters.

"I was forced out of my home and my rooftop was taken over by miscreants who pelted stones and petrol bombs," Hussain told IBNS.

"I wasn't involve in the violence and I had called the police after miscreants entered my house, but, police arrived after several hours," he added. "All these allegations against me are false."

Meanwhile, multiple video clips, authenticity of which have not been examined by IBNS independently, have gone viral on social media platforms which show a man resembling to Tahir Hussain leading an attack from a house's rooftop during the Delhi violence.

Delhi Police, however, said that they are currently investigating the matter.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal acts tough 

Acting tough, AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, on Thursday said no rioter should be spared irrespective of his political affiliation.

Addressing a press in the national capital, Kejriwal said, "No rioter should be spared irrespective of his political affiliation. He can belong to BJP or Congress or AAP but must be put to jail."

"If he belongs to the AAP, he must be doubly punished," the Chief Minister added.

Congress, BJP fight over Judge's transfer

Congress on Thursday was quick to accuse the ruling dispensation of pressurising the judiciary in the case.

At a press conference in the morning, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "BJP's pressure against judiciary and politics of revenge stand exposed. Yesterday, judges S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh of Delhi HC bench, took note of BJP leaders role in riots, filed an FIR against them and ordered Delhi Police to act in accordance with Constitution."

"When the judges showed provocative videos of BJP's Union Minister, MP, MLA and Kapil Mishra, Tushar Mehta ji, a lawyer of the Central Government and a favourite of Modi ji, argued that, 'it is not the right time to file cases against the named offenders'," added the Congress leader.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn’t shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government’s attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn’t transferred."

BJP refutes Congress charge, calls 'routine transfer'

Union Law Minister and senior BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad tweeted, "Transfer of Hon’ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed."

"By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them."

Sonia Gandhi and her party Congress demands Amit Shah's sacking

A day after taking the reign of her party to level charges against the BJP over the Delhi violence, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday led a delegation of her outfit to President Ram Nath Kovind and reiterated her demands of the removal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from his office.

Submitting a memorandum to Kovind, Gandhi outside the President's House blamed the "inaction" of the Home Minister and the central government for the riots which went on for 48 hours between Monday morning and Tuesday night.

In the letter, which was read out by Gandhi who was accompanied by a number of senior leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress said, "Due to the complete inaction on the part of the Home Minister and the central government, the violence has claimed the lives of at least 34 (now 37) people and over 200 have been injured at last count.

Several crores of properties and business have fallen prey to unchecked arson and looting."

"Rashtrapati ji, you are given the highest possible responsibility under the Constitution of India to act as the conscious-keeper of this government and to remind it of its constitutional duties and the pillar of rajdharm by which any government must abide."

Gandhi's Congress party has also urged the President to remove the Home Minister from his office for his "abdication of duty" and "inability to contain the situation".

Matter of national shame: Manmohan Singh on Delhi violence

Describing the Delhi violence, which has claimed 35 lives so far, to President Ram Nath Kovind, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the incidents which had happened over the last few days were "a matter of national shame".

"We called upon the President of India to suggest to him that what has happened in the last four days in the national capital of India is a matter of grave concern and also a matter of national shame..." Singh, a Congress veteran, said.