DLSA Reveals ‘Disturbing’ Facts in Delhi Riots

In a legal setting concerning the formulation of a victim impact report (VIR) regarding a case associated with the tumultuous events of the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, a court in New Delhi made note of receiving a missive containing profoundly unsettling revelations from the secretary of the Delhi Legal Services Authority.

The presiding judge saw fit to dispatch a duplicate of said missive to the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) for prompt and imperative action. Previously, during a hearing on the same matter, the court lamented the regrettable delay in the compilation of the VIR.

During the session convened around 10.30 am on Saturday, the court voiced its dissatisfaction with the lack of response from both the DCP and the DLSA. In an effort to spur action and ensure the submission of the VIR in due course, the court issued a reminder to both entities, scheduling further proceedings for April 20.

At 11 am, the court took delivery of a sealed correspondence from the DLSA secretary. “Upon perusal of the secretary’s missive, the contents therein have proven to be deeply troubling, prompting the transmission of a copy to the DCP for requisite action, in light of the revelations contained therein and with notice to this court,” remarked Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala.

The Delhi High Court has outlined the requisite protocols for compiling VIRs subsequent to the conviction of the accused, aiming to assess the extent of the losses endured by the victims of the transgressions, encompassing their physical, emotional, and financial adversities.

Following the sentencing of an individual named Jony Kumar for charges related to rioting and arson, Additional Sessions Judge Pramachala, during Saturday’s proceedings, directed the DCP to take necessary steps based on the communication from the DLSA.

Earlier, on April 1, the court acknowledged that the secretary of the Delhi Legal Services Authority had sought an extension for the submission of the VIR, citing the failure of the investigating officer (IO) to produce one of the victims for interaction.

Expressing dismay at the delay in the preparation of the VIR concerning the case, the judge urged the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) district to sensitize all station house officers (SHOs) and investigating officers (IOs) to promptly present victims before the DLSA, ensuring the expeditious compilation of the VIR.