This story is from July 31, 2020

Delhi LG overrules AAP government on lawyers for riot cases

The Delhi cabinet's decision to appoint special public prosecutors to argue cases related to the February riots in the Delhi high court and the Supreme Court was overturned by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Thursday.
Delhi LG overrules AAP government on lawyers for riot cases
Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal
NEW DELHI: The Delhi cabinet's decision to appoint special public prosecutors to argue cases related to the February riots in the Delhi high court and the Supreme Court was overturned by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Thursday. The order was given despite CM Arvind Kejriwal calling on the LG on Wednesday to reach a consensus.
2

The government rejected the proposal saying that its standing counsel, Rahul Mehra, and his team were "capable" of representing the state.

The LG then wrote to Kejriwal asking him to take a decision on the appointment of lawyers within a week. Subsequently, the Delhi cabinet met on Tuesday and rejected the Delhi Police panel and asked the home department was asked to prepare a panel of the best lawyers in the country to ensure that those guilty of communal violence got exemplary punishment and the innocent were not harassed or punished.
The cabinet observed that the courts had already raised serious questions on the fairness of investigations done by Delhi Police. "In such a situation, a free and fair trial will not be possible by a panel of lawyers selected by Delhi Police itself. It is the basic principle of criminal jurisprudence that investigations should be completely independent of prosecution," it further observed.
Delhi has a complex administrative setup due to its special status under the Constitution. While Delhi Police comes under the LG, the prosecution is under the state government. The approval of the elected government is needed for the appointment of the panel of prosecutors. Baijal and Delhi government passed through a stormy phase over this issue, which is now likely to be finalised.
Earlier, too, the LG and the AAP government had got into a confrontation over the appointment of lawyers to represent the state in lower courts. The matter was forwarded to the President and the panel was finally approved by Union home ministry.
At least 53 people were killed and over 250 injured in the violence that erupted in northeast Delhi following anti-CAA protests in February. Around 1,300 people were arrested and over 750 FIRs were registered.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA