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HC directive on Assam activist

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, July 27 - Delhi High Court on Monday restrained Delhi Police from issuing any statement regarding �Pinjra Tod� activist Devangana Kalita in connection with the cases related to the northeast Delhi violence till trial commences in the matter.

A bench of Delhi High Court headed by Justice Vibhu Bakhru, hearing a plea seeking to stop all leaks of allegations against her to the media, observed that the cases concerning the violence are sensitive in nature.

�The matters concerning communal riots are undoubtedly sensitive. This court is also informed that FIRs filed in such cases are not being publicly disclosed. In these circumstances, this court considers it apposite to direct the respondent not to issue any further communication naming any accused or any witness till the charges, if any, are framed and the trial is commenced,� the bench said.

�Unless directed otherwise, the trial is required to be conducted in an open court. Thus, at this stage, this court does not consider it apposite to restrain the respondent from issuing statements at the stage of the trial,� it added.

Kalita, in her plea, had alleged that the Delhi Police is leaking information to the media, which is seeking to establish her guilt before the trial has even begun. She said the leaks to the media can cause severe undesirable effects during the pendency of the case.

Kalita was arrested in connection with a case related to a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the Jafrabad area of the national capital during the violence in northeast Delhi but was later granted bail.

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