Delhi violence: Justice Muralidhar who slammed Delhi Police, transferred

Justice S Muralidhar, who heard the petitions on Delhi violence on Wednesday and came down heavily on Delhi Police has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court upon recommendation by the Supreme Court. President Kovind gave the transfer orders following a recommendation by the Supreme Court.

Justice Muralidhar during the hearing on Delhi violence had slammed Delhi Police for failing to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. His transfer had already been set in motion on February 12. The Supreme Court collegium had recommended the transfer of three Delhi High Court judges on February 12, following which Delhi High Court launched a protest against the move. The notifications for these transfers were issued on Wednesday evening. A bench headed by Justice Muralidhar expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders, including Kapil Mishra on Wednesday.

The transfer has been severely criticised by the opposition and on social media.

Taking a dig, Rahul Gandhi said, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred. "Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them."

The bench of justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh asked the special commissioner of police, who was present in court, to convey the court's "anguish" to the commissioner and observed that the city had seen enough violence. The bench said that when the police can register 11 FIRs in connection with incidents of violence, and questioned why it did not register FIRs against BJP ministers Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, and Kapil Mishra who had allegedly given hate speeches.

"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, according to India Today. The bench was referring to the anti-Sikh riots in which thousands were killed in the national capital.

Before delivering the order, the bench said, "The city is burning". To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta replied, "The city is not burning. It's only a few areas." Justice Muralidhar also held a late-night hearing at his residence on Tuesday. He had asked Delhi Police to ensure the safety of all those who have been injured in Delhi violence.

A notice issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice announced that President Kovind had taken the decision to transfer Justice Muralidhar after consulting the Chief Justice of India.

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Also Read: Delhi High Court invokes 1984 riots, says can't let it happen again