NEW DELHI: In a major move the Delhi Administration is considering the setting up of permanent special and exclusive courts at the district level for trial of communal riot cases.
The move was planned in the wake of an alarming increase in not’s ever since 1984 when the Capital had witnessed the worst riots after the assassination of Mrs.Indira Gandhi.
The needs for such courts in Delhi were discussed in a meeting chaired by Lt Governor P.K. Dave on March 18. The meeting essentially reviewed the Welfare of minorities in the city.
The immediate problem that has raked up this issue is that several communal pockets have emerged in Delhi Since 1984. The lower counts already overburdened with other eases have failed to bring offenders to book in the riot cases That’s sources said the concerned authorities felt the need to open special exclusive courts to expedite trials. Unlike the courts temporarily created for the 1984 riot Cases these courts will be permanent and will exclusively try the riot Cases to instill confidence in minorities.
The Lt-Governor’s office has also approached the Registrar of the Delhi High Court to set up exclusive courts to deal with the 1984 riots cases in Karkardooma East Delhi This office will work until the new proposal under study is finalized. For the 1984 riot cases there is only one special court at the moment functioning at Patiala house.
According to sources over 2000 Cases of riots are pending with this special court. The Administration has also directed a special study of crime in the newly emerging communally sensitive areas in cast Delhi.
Mr. Kaushal has already conveyed this to the East Delhi DCP asking him to make a special study of some areas like Seelampur Nand Nagri and Soemapuri.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994
