The Delhi High Court has asked the state government to take the decision on removal of Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan as Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) within 2 weeks. This order was given in a plea seeking Dr. Khan’s removal from his position for allegedly making seditious remarks and hateful speeches. The court has given such a timeline to the government since on July 14, Dr. Khan’s term as Chairman comes to an end and by then this process will become infructuous.
The division bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Sanjeev Narula has issued notices to DMC, Delhi Government and Dr. Khan. As per a status report that was submitted in court by Delhi government, the LG of Delhi has already directed the Administrative Department to initiate action as per section 4(4) of the Delhi Minorities Commission Act, which gives the government power to remove the Chairman under certain criteria.
In the previous hearing the court had informed the Delhi government that the court cannot order the removal of Dr. Khan from his position, before the government forms an opinion on the same.
The petitioner, in his plea, asserts that Dr. Khan brought contempt, hatred and disrespect through his social media post and his continuance in the position of Chairman maligns the image of the state’s Minorities Commission.
The petitioner further states that Dr. Khan’s used derogatory language against the majority community thus promoting disharmony, enmity and ill will likely to disturb public tranquillity and feeling of insecurity amongst different religious groups.
The next date of hearing is June 23.
Dr. Khan was granted protection from coercive steps until June 22, in his anticipatory bail application. He was booked under charges of sedition and for promoting enmity.
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Delhi HC grants Dr. Zafarul granted protection from coercive action until next hearing