Skip to main content

Delhi riots: Ex-judges' 'independent' panel begins work, seeks sensitive details

By Our Representative

A citizens’ committee of prominent ex-public servants has announced, through a public notice, it is ready to receive in confidence from individuals any information and material pertaining to February 2020 Delhi riots in order to investigate its “context, events and the aftermath”. The committee has been set up by the Constitutional Conduct Group, which is made up of former officials who have worked with the Central and state governments.
Those who are part of the committee are: Justice Madan Lokur, former judge of the Supreme Court (chairperson); Justice AP Shah, former chief justice of Madras and Delhi High Courts and former chairman, Law Commission; Justice RS Sodhi, former judge of Delhi High Court; Justice Anjana Prakash, former judge of Patna High Court; GK Pillai, IAS (retd), former home secretary, Government of India; and Meeran Chadha Borwankar, IPS (retd), former director-general, Bureau of Police Research and Development, Government of India.
The terms of reference of the committee say that it would “inquire into the events that transpired before and during the riots, including the response of the state machinery in dealing with the violence, restoring law and order, and related matters” and “analyse and assess the response of the police in investigating the riots.”
They state, the committee would “examine the role of the mainstream and social media in spreading information, both genuine and fake, before, during and after the riots, and its impact on events”, even as assessing “the civic administration’s efforts at providing relief and extending reparations to the victims of riots.”
The committee, continues the public notice, “committed to independence, impartiality and transparency in its functioning”, assuring “confidentiality of communications” of those who represent before it would be “protected.”
It adds, it it will “collect and scrutinize primary material, including first person account of those who have direct knowledge of the events and issues, FIRs, charge-sheets and other documents prepared by government agencies, audio-visual and documentary material that have a bearing on matters under examination.” It adds, it will “also review secondary material including reports and accounts already in the public domain.”
The notice further says, the committee will “proactively collect and review information and materials pertaining to Delhi riots and reach out to persons who may have information or materials pertaining to the events under examination.” It adds, “Based on a perusal of this information, the committee may invite persons for further interactions, keeping their identity confidential.”
It asks individuals to write or upload confidential submissions here,  or alternatively send submission by post to: Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), Common Cause House, 2 nd Floor, Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi – 110070. Last date for submissions is November 30, 2020, it adds.

Comments

TRENDING

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar*  Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan*  (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

This book delves deep into Maoism's historical, social, and political dimensions in India

By Harsh Thakor*  "Storming the Gates of Heaven" by Amit Bhattacharya is a comprehensive study of the Indian Maoist movement. Bhattacharya examines the movement's evolution, drawing from numerous sources and showcasing his unwavering support for Charu Mazumdar's path and practice. The book, published in 2016, delves deeply into the movement's historical, social, and political dimensions.

Ideological assault on dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will disturb pluralistic legacy: Modi told

Counterview Desk Letter to the Prime Minister about "a matter of the utmost concern affecting our country's social fabric": *** We are a group of independent citizens who over the past few years have made efforts to improve the deteriorating communal relations in the country. It is abundantly clear that over the last decade relations between communities, particularly Hindus and Muslims, and to an extent Christians are extremely strained leaving these latter two communities in extreme anxiety and insecurity.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative  A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups.  For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.