The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to allegations that vigilantes were intimidating and harassing a 14-year-old girl who had participated in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana observed that allegations of the girl or her family being intimidated or browbeaten to prevent them from pursuing criminal proceedings would be a serious matter. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that allegations involving violence against a child cannot be ignored and that no offender should receive protection.
The Court said that if persons accused of violence against the child were roaming free and attempting to intimidate the girl or her family so that they would not pursue criminal proceedings, the situation would warrant serious consideration.
The issue came before the Bench after a counsel submitted that a counter-FIR had been registered against the minor girl even as persons allegedly involved in assaulting and intimidating her continued to remain at large.
The girl had come into the spotlight after right-wing influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj allegedly admitted on social media to assaulting her father during the CJP protests.
Bhardwaj was initially booked under Sections 115(2) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to causing simple hurt and wrongful restraint. He subsequently claimed on social media that he had “cracked the skull” of the girl’s father and had been detained by police only for a few hours. He also claimed proximity to NDA leaders.
After CJP leaders, along with the girl and her father, protested at the Parliament Street police station, more serious offences were added and Bhardwaj was arrested. He is presently in judicial custody.
Before the Supreme Court, counsel sought status reports from the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh authorities concerning the FIRs, security provided to the minor and action taken against those allegedly involved in the assault and intimidation.
Counsel submitted that the police filed an FIR against the child instead of prosecuting the accused’s accomplices captured on video, violating previous Supreme Court directions. The lawyer also pointed out that the High-Powered Committee constituted by the Supreme Court to inquire into violence against CJP protesters would take time to complete its proceedings.
Counsel argued that any harm to the child during the delay would cause irreversible damage that a committee could not undo. He further told the Bench that video evidence could be produced to show that the girl’s residence was allegedly subjected to stone-pelting.
Affirming that intimidation cannot be tolerated, CJI Surya Kant stated that no one should receive protection if a child or her family is browbeaten into dropping criminal proceedings.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that the government would review the allegations and take necessary steps, offering to personally examine the full facts of the case to determine the appropriate response.
Chief Justice Surya Kant made it clear that the Supreme Court will take action, assuring that the Bench will review the complaints, resolve any outstanding issues, and issue official orders as needed.
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