A Delhi Court on Wednesday sought an action taken report from the city police on a plea filed against right wing journalist Suresh Chavhanke for giving hate speech against Muslims and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, at an event organized by Hindu Yuva Vahini in December last year.
The plea has been filed by Welfare Party of India president Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, seeking registration of FIR against Sudarshan TV chief editor Chavhankhe.
On 19 December last year, during the event by Hindutva group, Chavhankhe administered an oath to a group of Hindutva followers to “die for and kill” to make India a “Hindu Rashtra” or a “Hindu Nation,” according to the complaint. In the program at Banarasidas Chandiwala Auditorium near Govindpuri Metro Station, New Delhi, the right wing journalist made a speech and endorsed violence against Muslims.
Though the complaint was drafted and filed under Sections 153A, 153B, 295A, 298, and 504, 505(2) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, against Suresh Chavhanke in Govindpuri Police Station on 25 December, no immediate action was taken despite the seriousness of the offence, alleged The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), the organisation which is giving legal assistance in this matter.
Seeing no immediate action and progress on the complaint, a representation was also made to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of South East District through email to demand immediate action on the hate speech to maintain public peace and tranquility.
After acknowledging no appropriate legal action being taken by the police, a plea was filed by SQR Ilyas through APCR in Saket District Court seeking directions to police for the registration of FIR and arrest of the accused as per law on the complaint dated 25 December, 2021 to prevent any incidents of violence due to the hate-speech.
“Despite all the available electronic evidence against Suresh Chavahanke and after approaching all the ranks in police hierarchy, no action was taken on my complaint in due time,” said Ilyas.
Metropolitan Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh of the Saket Courts has now posted the matter for further hearing on 15 March.
