New Delhi: Suspended Delhi Police ACP Manasvi Vashishth appears to be facing mounting trouble. The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on November 6 a public interest litigation filed in connection with allegations that lawyers were threatened and subjected to derogatory remarks. The petition has also sought action against some other Delhi Police officers along with ACP Vashishth.
The matter is linked to the protest by police personnel outside Delhi Police headquarters on November 2. ACP Vashishth was also part of the protest. It is alleged that objectionable remarks were made against lawyers during the protest and threats such as shooting them with an AK-47 were issued. Citing videos circulated on social media, the petition has sought an inquiry into these statements.
The petition filed by advocate Karan Bir Singh has made the central government, the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance), ACP Manasvi Vashishth and Sub-Inspector Vishal Yadav parties to the case. The petitioner has sought an independent and time-bound inquiry against the officials concerned, necessary criminal and departmental action, and measures to ensure the safety of lawyers.
Earlier, lawyers had appealed to the High Court to take suo motu cognisance, but the court asked them to file a formal petition. Later, the hearing on the petition was fixed for Friday.
The background to the controversy is linked to the alleged assault on advocate Lalit Bansal at Shahdara police station on October 23 and the police-lawyer confrontation. After this, ACP Vashishth and the station house officer were transferred. Following protests by police personnel against the transfers, the Home Ministry suspended Vashishth. The court’s final decision on the allegations made in the case is still awaited.
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