Kejriwal meets Delhi L-G after rejecting lawyers listed to represent Police in Riots cases

As Delhi government rejected proposed list of lawyers to represent Delhi Police on cases related to riots in February, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Lt Goverr Anil Baijal. Kejriwal's Cabinet rejected a panel of lawyers proposed by city police to argue riots cases in Supreme Court and High Court and demanded a change for a 'fair and impartial trial'.

As issue raises yet ar point of confrontation between L-G and Delhi government, sources said that  meeting between L-G and Delhi CM lasted for only 20 minutes. Though  two discussed dispute around lawyer panel proposed by Delhi Police, it is unkwn if a solution has been found. 

Lt Goverr writes to Kejriwal

confrontation on matter came as Delhi Police sent its list of lawyers to represent m in 85 cases and special public prosecutors were appointed by L-G in June to investigate 24 cases of protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As per sources, in a meeting between Baijal and Sisodia through video conference, difference of opinion arose and matter could t be resolved.

Earlier on July 19, Lt Goverr Anil Baijal wrote to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to decide within a week on Delhi Police's proposal recommending names of six senior advocates for representing m in 85 cases of riots in rast Delhi. In  letter, Baijal said that acting Home Minister Manish Sisodia did t agree to Delhi Police proposal despite force providing detailed justification for it.  lieutenant goverr also said that he had called file pertaining to matter for perusal on July 14 under Rule of 19 (5) of Transaction of Business Rules (TBR). Baijal added that he had requested home minister to reconsider his decision and agree to proposal of Delhi Police. He n asked CM to take decision within a week.

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Statement by L-G's office 

In a statement issued after Sisodia rejected proposal, Baijal said that se cases involved large scale communal violence and require careful handling in view of gravity and deep impact on society. "We are committed to ensure that guilty in Riot cases are awarded strictest punishment as per law. It was refore felt that a dedicated team of prosecutors is needed and senior law officers/senior advocates/advocates may also be appointed as special public prosecutors to ensure that cases are handled properly and in a focussed manner," statement said.

statement added: "refore, re is reason to imagine that public prosecutors appointed would t perform ir duty fearlessly and impartially as officers of court. We have full faith in judicial process and we are committed to ensuring that guilty in riot cases are awarded strictest punishment as per law."

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Delhi riots

Clashes began between CAA supporters and anti-CAA groups in rast Delhi on February 23, as both camps resorted to stone-pelting after Shaheen Bagh-like protests started in Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh. situation deteriorated even as Delhi Police was present at spot as houses, shops, and buses were burnt. While Home Minister reviewed situation on February 24  and 35 - while US President Donald Trump visited India, violence increased killing 53 and injuring over 200, as per official figures.

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