Delhi High Court dismisses petition for hate speech FIR against BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Paresh Verma

The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition filed by CPI (M) leaders Brinda Karat and K.M. Tiwari challenging the trial court’s refusal to order the filing of a FIR against Union Minister Anurag Thakur and his BJP colleague Parvesh Verma.

Petitioners claimed that the two leaders were charged with a cognisable offence for their alleged hate speeches during the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh.

The judge, who reserved the verdict on March 25, noted that the Delhi Police had conducted a preliminary investigation in the matter and informed the trial court that prima facie no cognizable offence had been made out and that, in order to order any investigation, the trial court was required to take cognizance of the facts and evidence before it, which was not permissible without a valid sanction.

“Those in power must act responsibly”, Delhi High Court on alleged hate speech linked to Anurag Thakur, Paresh Verma

The petitioners stated that they were only requesting that the police investigate the matter.