SC tells Delhi Police to file ‘better affidavit’

New Delhi April 22 The Supreme Court on Friday expressed its displeasure over an affidavit filed by Delhi Police saying the speeches by Sudarshan News TV Editor Suresh Chavhanke here in December last year didn’t have any hate speech directed at any particular community.

A Bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar and also comprising Justice Abhay S Oka granted two weeks’ time to Delhi Police to seek instructions and file a “better affidavit” by May 4.

The court was hearing a joint PIL filed by journalist Qurban Ali and senior advocate Anjana Prakash (a former judge of the Patna High Court) seeking criminal action against the anti-Muslim hate speeches made at the Dharam Sansad and the Hindu Yuva Vahini meets in Haridwar and Delhi respectively in December.

The Supreme Court, after going through the affidavit filed by the Delhi Police, questioned the latter over the way it had filed the affidavit.

“We hope he has understood the nuances. Has he merely reproduced the inquiry report or applied his mind? Is it your stand as well or the reproduction of inquiry report of Sub Inspector level officer?”,  the Supreme Court remarked.

It gave a chance to the Delhi Police to file a “better affidavit” and to make its stand clear on the issue.