Delhi LG chooses public prosecutor against govt's suggested list in February riots case

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has opted for an out-of-the-list prosecutor in the case of North-East Delhi riots earlier this year. Sources have reported that the public prosecutor chosen by the LG, was not included in the list prepared by the Delhi government, but was Delhi Police's choice. 

However, sources reported that the move by the LG is deemed to be unconstitutional as the Delhi High Court had given the Delhi Government the right to appoint a public prosecutor back in 2016, which was backed by a ruling by the Supreme Court in 2018. 

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The Delhi violence

Clashes began between pro-CAA and anti-CAA groups as both camps resorted to stone-pelting on February 23 after Shaheen Bagh-like protests started in Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh. The situation deteriorated even as Delhi Police was present at the spot as houses, shops, and buses were burnt. While the Home Minister reviewed the situation on February 24  and 25 - while President Donald Trump visited India, the violence increased killing 53 and injuring over 200. 

Delhi CM Kejriwal offered monetary, medical and home relief to the injured and deceased, while the police filed 167 FIRs and have arrested or detained 885 people till date. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Shiv Vihar were among the areas mainly affected by the riots. The Delhi police filed its first charge sheet naming accused Shahrukh Pathan who had allegedly fired on head constable Deepak Dahiya and others on 24 February.

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(With ANI Inputs)