Delhi Court Sets Hearing Date for 2020 Riot Petitions Including Hate Speech FIRs

The Delhi High Court will hear multiple petitions related to the February 2020 riots, including those seeking FIRs against political leaders for hate speeches, on October 9. The court debated whether some reliefs have 'run its course' and directed parties to file written submissions and include the Supreme Court's order in another hate speech case. The communal violence led to 53 deaths and injured around 700 people.

The Delhi High Court will hear several petitions concerning the February 2020 riots on October 9, including calls for FIRs against political figures for alleged hate speeches.

A bench led by Justice Prathiba M Singh noted the necessity of hearing the petitions filed after the north-east Delhi violence and queried if some reliefs have become moot. Parties have been asked to submit written briefs and reference the Supreme Court's order in a related hate speech case.

Communal clashes in north-east Delhi on February 24, 2020, caused 53 deaths and injured around 700 people. The petitions include requests for a special investigation unit and FIRs against police officers. Petitioners Ajay Gautam and Shaikh Mujtaba Farooq, among others, have targeted both BJP and Congress leaders for alleged instigating hate speeches. Police refute these claims, citing an ongoing investigation alleging a premeditated conspiracy.

(With inputs from agencies.)