Delhi HC Orders Police Deployment After Uttam Nagar Holi Violence
Delhi High Court directs police deployment near the house of an accused's mother following violent attacks linked to the Uttam Nagar Holi violence.
The Delhi High Court has intervened in a volatile situation in Uttam Nagar, ordering the Delhi Police to ensure sufficient security near the residence of a woman whose son is an accused in the recent Holi violence case. The court's decision follows alarming CCTV footage that captured local residents launching violent attacks on the petitioner's home.
Court Reacts to Violent CCTV Footage
During the proceedings, Justice Girish Kathpalia reviewed video evidence showing a mob, which reportedly included members of a deceased person's family, attacking the petitioner's house. The petitioner, a mother of the accused, had approached the court seeking urgent protection for her family against the ongoing hostility.
"It is indeed a serious situation," Justice Kathpalia observed while examining the evidence. He emphasized that while legal proceedings regarding the FIR must continue against the son, the mother and her family cannot be left defenseless against mob violence. "Whatever be the legal proceedings pertaining to FIR, the same are against son of the petitioner, and the same law will take its course, but petitioner cannot be left vulnerable and prone to such violence," the judge remarked.
Round-the-Clock Security Mandated
The court noted that the petitioner's residence is located in a narrow lane, making it a feasible area for targeted police presence. To prevent further escalations, the High Court issued the following directives:
- Continuous Deployment: Personnel from the Uttam Nagar Police Station must ensure round-the-clock deployment in the area until the situation stabilizes.
- Lane-Specific Protection: Police must be stationed specifically in the lane where the petitioner's house is located.
- Status Report: The Delhi Police must file a formal report within one week, including documentary evidence of sufficient deployment and measures taken to prevent further violence.
Allegations of Stone Pelting and Bricks
Representing the petitioner, Senior Advocates Warisha Farasat and Abdul Gaffar argued that for the past two days, local residents—including those related to the individual killed during the Holi incident—have been violently targeting the home. They alleged that the attackers have been using stones and bricks to assault the property.
In response to the court's concerns, Inspector Mukesh Kumar from the Uttam Nagar Police Station was present during the hearing. He provided assurances to the bench that adequate local police presence would be maintained to ensure no further untoward incidents occur in the locality.