SC On Hate Speech Case: The Supreme Court heard the hate speech case on Monday (February 20). The court has asked the Delhi Police to file a charge sheet in 2021 in a case of hate speeches delivered at religious gatherings in the national capital. On which Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing on behalf of Delhi Police, told the court that the investigation of the case is in advanced stage.
Nataraj told the CJI of India, DY Chandrachud, “He is waiting for the report of a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on the voice samples of the accused. The police will soon file a charge sheet in this case.” In its order, the bench said, “Additional Solicitor General has submitted that the investigation is now in final stage. The report of voice sample from the forensic laboratory is expected soon. A copy of the chargesheet be placed on record. The matter will be taken up before April.” There will be a hearing in a week.”
‘Investigation report is in final stages’
Earlier, during the hearing held on January 30, the Delhi Police had said, “The investigation into the 2021 hate speeches case has been completed to a large extent and a final investigation report will be filed soon.” The top court had asked the Delhi Police to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken so far in the matter. The court sought a report from the investigating officer, reprimanding the Delhi Police for the delay in registering the FIR in the hate speech case and no concrete progress in the investigation.
Case related to the program of Hindu Yuva Vahini
The case of hate speech is related to a Hindu Yuva Vahini program organized in Delhi in December 2021 under the leadership of ‘Sudarshan News’ editor Suresh Chavhanke. Social worker Tushar Gandhi had filed a petition accusing the Uttarakhand Police and Delhi Police of inaction. Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for Tushar Gandhi, had said, “The police did not take any concrete steps to stop such hate speeches.”
The court had reprimanded the Delhi Police
The court sought a report from the investigating officer, reprimanding the Delhi Police for the delay in registering the FIR in the hate speech case and no concrete progress in the investigation. The bench had on November 11 last year exempted the Uttarakhand government and its police chief from the list of parties to the contempt petition. The petition claimed that the speeches were publicly available just after the incident, but the Uttarakhand Police and the Delhi Police did not take action against the perpetrators. It has been alleged in the petition that hate speeches were made in Haridwar from 17 December to 19 December 2021 and in ‘Dharma Sansad’ held in Delhi on 19 December 2021.
