NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the police to respond to a petition filed by activist Devangana Kalita, seeking the preservation and reconstruction of the case diary in an investigation related to the North East Delhi violence in February 2020. The violence, which erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), resulted in significant communal unrest in the area.
Justice Jasmeet Singh declined to issue an immediate order for the police. However, the court acknowledged Kalita’s concerns and scheduled the next hearing for November 25, requiring a detailed response from the police on the matter.
Kalita’s petition also challenges a recent city court order dated November 6, arguing that critical evidence, including videos and WhatsApp chats, should be made available to her for her defense.
Her plea cites the need for transparency and preservation of key documents to ensure a fair trial in cases, including one under the stringent UAPA.
In September, the Delhi High Court had previously restrained the trial court from proceeding with final orders on framing charges, awaiting further submissions on Kalita’s claims of a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 violence.
This event occurred during widespread protests against the CAA and NRC, coinciding with the visit of then-US President Donald Trump to India.