S Muralidhar of Delhi HC transferred after criticizing Delhi police for ongoing violence

NEW DELHI: Justice S Muralidhar has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court after he criticized Delhi police over the ongoing violence in the city.

The bench headed by Muralidhar was hearing petitions related to Delhi violence.

The bench had expressed "anguish" over the police's inaction to register FIRs against those making inflammatory speeches.

Justice Muralidhar had said, "Isn't lodging of FIRs against the culprits an urgent matter? The situation out there is very unpleasant."

The bench had also said that a 1984-like situation should be prevented in the city.

"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.

On Wednesday, a government notification was issued about the transfer. The decision was made in consultation with Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde post which President Ram Nath Kovind transferred Muralidhar.

According it reports, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended the transfer of 3 judges on February 12. The notifications were issued on Wednesday night.

According to latest media reports, Delhi death toll has touched 35. Hundreds have been injured in clashes in north east Delhi.

A few days ago, sporadic incidents of stone-pelting between anti and pro-CAA groups at Maujpur in east Delhi broke a relative lull in tension over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. The police fired teargas shells. The tension erupted after a pro-CAA rally in the area was stoned by a group of anti-CAA protesters. Following stone-pelting by both groups, the police stepped in to disperse the two groups.

Metro stations have been shut down in the area as a precautionary measure. Metro rail stations that have been shut down include the Maujpur-Babarpur and the Seelampur metro station, adding to the overall congestion and chaos prevailing in the area. More security forces are being directed to the spot from other areas including nearby Jaffrabad.

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