HC dismisses plea seeking SIT probe into attack on temple in walled city

The Delhi High Court Friday dismissed a PIL seeking SIT probe into the attack on a temple in the walled city here, saying that the police was already taking action and nothing can be done overnight.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar said the petitioner in the instant matter expected the culprits behind the June 30 incident to be arrested overnight and observed that the expectation was "too high".

The court said that three FIRs were already registered in connection with the incident and investigation was already going on.

It also noted the submissions of the central government's standing counsel Anil Soni, appearing for the Ministry of Home Affairs, and advocate Anupam Srivastava, appearing for the police, that action has been taken against those identified as having taken part in the incident.

Srivastava also told the court that after examining CCTV footage of the incident, seven persons have been arrested and six minors were put in observation homes.

He said more arrests may be made during the course of the investigation as the CCTV footage was still being examined.

The bench said: "It appears that the respondents (Centre, Delhi government and police) are serious about the incident. The criminal law has been put into motion and therefore, we see no reason for setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT)."