Justice Amit Sharma Recuses from High-Profile Jamia Millia Islamia Violence Case

Delhi High Court Judge Amit Sharma recused himself from hearing petitions relating to the Jamia Millia Islamia violence during anti-CAA protests in December 2019. The matter is now to be heard by another bench. Petitioners are seeking an independent SIT probe into alleged police brutality during the protests, which the police oppose.

Delhi High Court Judge Amit Sharma stepped down from hearing multiple petitions associated with the 2019 Jamia Millia Islamia violence amid anti-CAA demonstrations on Tuesday.

Given the change in the judicial roster, the cases are now slated to be heard by a different bench led by Justice Prathiba M Singh.

Justice Singh stated, ''List before another bench, of which Justice Amit Sharma is not a member, on August 8.''

Post-violence, several petitions emerged requesting the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), a Commission of Inquiry (CoI), or a fact-finding committee. The petitioners also sought medical treatment, compensation, and FIRs against the culpable police officers.

The petitioners, including lawyers, students, local residents, and the Imam of Jama Masjid, argue the necessity for an independent SIT to thoroughly investigate the reported police brutality.

In rebuttal, the police opposed these petitions, emphasizing that charge sheets had been filed and that the proper venue for relief would have been the concerned subordinate courts.

The police maintained that the protests were a guise for deliberately orchestrated violence and defended that their Crime Branch had conducted comprehensive investigations.

The police labeled the petitioners as ''interlopers'' and suggested local politicians exploited JMI protests to incite violence against law enforcement.

They contested the idea of an independent SIT and opposed the transfer of lodged FIRs to any external agency, arguing third-party involvement in prosecutorial decisions cannot be permitted.

(With inputs from agencies.)