President orders transfer of Delhi HC judge day after he pulls up police over violence

Justice S Muralidhar, who heard the petitions on Delhi violence on Wednesday and slammed Delhi Police over continuous violence over 3 days, has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. President Kovind has ordered the transfer following the recommendation by Supreme Court.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice announced that the President has taken the decision after consulting the Chief Justice of India.

Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar has now been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court had recommended the transfer last week, following which Delhi High Court launched a protest against the move.

The Supreme Court collegium had recommended the transfer of 3 judges on February 12. The notifications for these transfers were issued late on Wednesday night.

Justice Muralidhar was hearing the Delhi violence case on Wednesday. The late evening notification of his transfer came on the same day when a bench headed by him expressed “anguish” over the Delhi Police’s failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders, including Kapil Mishra.

The law ministry notification, however, does not mention when he has to take charge of his office.

As the toll in Delhi violence crossed 20, Justice Muralidhar said Delhi cannot afford to witness another 1984-like situation, referring to the anti-Sikh riots in which thousands were killed in the national capital.

The court asked the special commissioner of police, who was present in court, to forthwith convey its “anguish” to the commissioner and observed that the city had seen enough violence and it should not witness another 1984 anti-Sikh riots-like incident.

The bench of justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh said when the police can register 11 FIRs in connection with incidents of violence, including arson, looting, stone pelting, why did it not show alacrity when it came to the alleged hate speeches by the three BJP leaders — Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra.

“Why are you not showing alacrity when it comes to registration of FIR in these cases? We want peace to prevail. We do not want the city to witness another 1984 riots. This city has seen enough violence and anguish. Let it not repeat 1984,” the bench said.

Before dictating the order, the bench remarked, “The city is burning”. To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, “The city is not burning. It’s only a few areas.”

Justice Muralidhar also held a late-night hearing at his residence on Tuesday midnight and asked Delhi Police to ensure safety of all those who have been injured in Delhi violence and need help.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)