News Desk: The Delhi High Court on Monday restrained Delhi Police from issuing any statement regarding Pinjra Tod member Devangana Kalita. Kalita was in connection with the cases related to the northeast Delhi violence. The court restrained police from issuing statements until the commencement of the trial.
A bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru heard a plea seeking to stop all leaks of allegations against her to the media. The bench observed that the cases concerning the violence are sensitive in nature. High Court ordered Delhi Police to restrain from issuing any statements. The court also ordered to restrain from circulating information against Kalita.
The bench said that circumstances concerning communal riots are very sensitive. One must not disclose publicly the FIRs filed in such cases. The court considers it suitable to direct the respondent not to issue any further communication. No naming must be done till the charges if any are framed and the trial is commenced. Unless directed by the court, the trial will be conducted in an open court. The court does not consider it relevant to restrain the respondent from issuing statements.
Kalita alleged that Delhi Police is leaking information to the media. They are seeking to establish her guilt before the trial has even begun. She said that the leaks to the media can cause severe undesirable effects during the pendency of the case.
She said that the Delhi Police had caused immense damage to her reputation. The leak has an immense effect on her fundamental right to a fair trial.
Delhi police arrested her in the Jafrabad area in Delhi. She was arrested for her connection with a case related to a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The court granted her bail later.
However, soon after getting bail in the protest case, she was arrested in another case. Her arrest was related to the northeast Delhi violence. Her case was probed by the Delhi Police and is currently undergoing judicial custody.