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In a brutal crackdown on all citizenship law protestors, Teesta Setalvad had approached the National Human Rights Commission on December 20, 2019, to bring to the Commission’s notice, the alleged detention of 32 women protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Delhi Gate.
In response to the complaint, the Commission received a report dated October 9, 2020 from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Vigilance), Delhi. The Commission’s response read, “It is reported that on the date of incident the mob was raging, shouting slogans, and started pelting stones on the police officials. The mob was trying to break the barricades and became violent upon which water cannon was used to disperse the crowd but instead of dispersing the mob started vandalism and torched a car parked on road. FIR No. 250/2019 under section 147/148/1866/353/332/427/102-B/34 of IPC and 3/4 of PDPP Act was registered in the said matter. 43 persons were detained and relieved after the initial enquiry subject to verification of their role. The case is transferred to Crime Branch, Delhi.”
NHRC further said that it believed that the Police were taking appropriate action in the matter. The Commission also informed that the Police are expected to complete the investigation at the earliest, and take the case to a logical conclusion within reasonable time. As the Police are investigating the matter, the Commission said that there was no need for further continuance of the proceedings before it and hence, closed the case.
NHRC, in the past, has also provided an appalling response to the Jamia Millia Islamia University violence, that broke out in December 2019, amid raging Citizenship Amendment Act protests. SabrangIndia had reported on the Commission holding the students responsible for protesting without permission.
“If the protest was peaceful then there is no answer as to how a large number of private and government property were destroyed and many vehicles were burnt down. It is beyond doubt that students of Jamia Millia Islamia University, local residents, doubtful character, political leaders were actively involved in various violent protests in Jamia area”, concluded NHRC.
Teesta Setalvad, has approached the Commission again (46997/CR/2021), requesting it to disclose the report provided by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Vigilance). NHRC’s response is awaited.
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