There are nearly half a dozen petitions in the batch of cases relating to this issue.
While the ones filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others have sought inquiry into the role of the Delhi Police as well as ‘right-wing’ leaders including Thakur and Mishra, the petition filed by Lawyer’s Voice alleged that it was speeches of the Gandhis, Kejriwal and others that instigated the riots.
Interestingly, one of the persons to whom notice was issued by the High Court is a former judge of the Bombay High Court – retired Justice BG Kolse Patil.
Justice Patil told Bar & Bench that it was unfortunate that a plea has been filed to implead him.
He said that while he is unsure of why attempt has been made to make him a party to the case, it could be because he had spoken against Hindutva supporters after the anti-CAA protests.
“This is very unfortunate, whoever is trying to implead me. Firstly, I was invited to be on the fact finding committee for the Delhi riots. I went there, visited all places. I used the logic Hemant Karkare had used – Muslims will not want to harm other Muslims, they will not want to destroy the properties of Muslims. 90% loss of property is of Muslims. Secondly, I went to Delhi after the CAA NRC protest and I spoke against Hindutva vadis. I congratulated the women who had protested. Maybe this (impleadment) is because of that. I don’t know anything beyond. I don’t know what is the reason for it,” Justice Patil said.
Before he became a judge of the High Court, Justice Patil was a defence attorney known for his participation in high-profile trials, such as the Manwath murder case and the Joshi-Abhyankar serial murders trial, before becoming a public prosecutor.
In 1985, he was appointed as a judge of Bombay High Court. After 5 years, in 1990, he resigned from the bench prematurely to devote his time to social service before actively entering into politics. He is presently the Maharashtra State Secretary of the political party Janata Dal (Secular), which is one of the main political parties of Karnataka.
Source: Barandbench
