Cops to HC: Plea for CAA protest videos not valid

New Delhi, January 14

The Delhi Police have told the Delhi High Court that a plea moved by JNU student and activist Devangana Kalita, accused in a case related to North-East Delhi riots, seeking copies of videos of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was not maintainable.

The issue regarding maintainability of the plea was raised before Justice Suresh K Kait by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police.

"Let the respondent (police) file an affidavit on the maintainability aspect within a week, with advance copy furnished to the other side. Response thereto, if any, be filed within five days thereafter," the court said, listing the matter for further hearing on February 4.

Kalita, in her plea has sought copies of videos of protests against the CAA and other electronic data available with the police in the matter that were filed along with the charge-sheet in the case.

While Kalita is in judicial custody in the case under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, she has been granted bail in the case related to the riots in Jaffarabad area.

Communal violence had broken out in North-East Delhi on February 24 last year after clashes between the citizenship law supporters and protesters spiralled out of control, leaving at least 53 e dead and 200 injured. PTI