The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea seeking Independent investigation into the recent communal violence in Tripura and into the complicity and inaction of the police.
The bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna granted liberty to serve the central agency and the standing counsel for the state of Tripura. The notice made returnable in 2 weeks, the bench shall hear the matter on December 13.
The petition prays for an issue of writ or other direction or order to ensure that an independent, credible and impartial investigation is conducted into the incidents of violence against the Muslim community as evidenced by the fact- finding report titled “Humanity Under Attack in Tripura, #MuslimLivesMatter” dated 02.11.2021 by an SIT or otherwise as deemed appropriate by the Court.
The writ petition has been filed before the Supreme Court of India against alleged targeting of the Muslim community amid Tripura violence in October this year.
The petition has been filed by Advocate Ehtesham Hashmi through Advocate Prashant Bhushan, seeking an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged incidents of violence, including damaging of mosques, burning Muslim-owned business establishments, shouting Islamophobic slogans, etc.
It is alleged that the Police authorities were hand in glove with the perpetrators, and not a single arrest has been made of the rioters who were responsible for the vandalism and violence.
It is further averred that the Police authorities failed to lodge FIR’s on complaints made by several victims belonging to the Muslim community.
Moreover, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was invoked against 102 people, including journalists, for reporting and writing on the recent communal violence in the State.
The Petitioner further claims to have personally visited the places where the aforementioned hate crimes were committed to publish a fact-finding report as per which, 12 Mosques were damaged; 9 shops owned by Muslim businessmen were damaged; and 3 houses owned by Muslims were vandalised.
It is further prayed to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions in Tehseen Poonawalla v. Union of India whereby principles were laid down for preventing and prosecuting all violent hate crimes.
