Delhi HC nudges petitioners to approach SC for SIT probe in 2020 riots

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked petitioners, including CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat, why they had not approached the Supreme Court for FIRs against certain politicians for alleged hate speeches and for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the 2020 Delhi communal riots. The court suggested that since the petition seeks relief on the same material, submissions could also be made before the Supreme Court, potentially avoiding two parallel hearings.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor for the Delhi Police told the court that Karat’s petition seeking similar reliefs had already been rejected by a Magistrate and later by a single-judge Bench of the High Court. That order had been challenged before the Supreme Court, where the matter remains pending. The High Court said it would consider the matter next on December 11, while noting that several related pleas are also pending before it.

The February 2020 clashes in north-east Delhi left at least 53 people dead and around 700 injured, underscoring calls for accountability and a transparent investigation into both the alleged hate speeches and the riots themselves. By urging a possible SC route, the court underscored the need for a streamlined, efficient process in a case that has stretched over years and across multiple forums.

The exchange highlights a tension between petitioners seeking swift action and the procedural pathways that govern high-stakes criminal investigations in India, especially where political statements and communal violence intersect with legal remedies. As petitions continue to pile up before the High Court, the December 11 hearing will be a key moment to chart the next steps for justice for the riot victims and those advocating for accountability.

Cover image source: Delhi riots case hearing LIVE: Supreme Court to hear bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others 🔗

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