A Delhi court on Wednesday pulled up the Delhi Police for not filing an action taken report (ATR) despite several opportunities on a complaint seeking directions to the investigating agency to lodge a sedition case against certain students for allegedly raising anti-India slogans at Ramjas College on February 21.
Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra directed the Joint Commissioner (Crime Branch) of the city police to look into the matter and file an ATR by August 3, the next date of hearing.
‘Expedite inquiry’
“I find merit in the submissions of the complainant that the police failed to file an ATR and have delayed it. In view of the circumstances, the Joint Commissioner of Police concerned is directed to look into the matter, expedite the inquiry so that it be filed on or before the next date before this court,” the court said.
Complainant Vivek Garg had alleged that the students raised slogans following withdrawal of permission to organise a seminar on “Unveiling the State: Regions in Conflict” by the college principal. He attached video clippings and copies of newspaper reports with his complaint on alleged anti-India slogans raised by students allegedly belonging to the All India Students’ Association, Students’ Federation of India and others.
He has urged the court to pass a direction to lodge an FIR on charges of sedition, waging or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war against the government, criminal conspiracy and other charges under the Indian Penal Code.