The Delhi High Court has refused to stay the trial against several individuals accused of assaulting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public event in 2024. A single-judge Bench of Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani observed that the trial has already reached an advanced stage and that stalling the proceedings at this juncture would not serve the interests of justice. The Court emphasized that the accused will have a full opportunity to present their defense before the trial court.
The case involves an incident where the Chief Minister was allegedly heckled and physically assaulted by a group of protesters during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in North Delhi. The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet naming several local activists and political workers, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, assault on a public servant, and rioting. The petitioners had approached the High Court seeking a stay, claiming that the FIR was "politically motivated" and that the evidence against them was purely circumstantial.
Justice Bhambhani noted that the "power to stay a criminal trial is an extraordinary one" and should be exercised sparingly. The Court found that the petitioners failed to demonstrate any "manifest injustice" or procedural illegality that would warrant halting the trial. The Bench also remarked that the Chief Minister, as a public servant, is entitled to a speedy conclusion of the case, just as the accused are entitled to a fair trial.
The petitioners argued that the police had relied on "doctored" video footage and that they were merely exercising their democratic right to protest. However, the High Court held that the authenticity of the video evidence is a matter of trial and cannot be adjudicated upon in a writ petition. The Court directed the trial court to continue the proceedings on a day-to-day basis to ensure a timely verdict.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's reluctance to interfere in the trial process once charges have been framed and evidence recording has commenced. With the High Court’s refusal to intervene, the special court for MPs/MLAs is expected to proceed with the cross-examination of key eyewitnesses, including security personnel who were present at the scene. The outcome of this trial remains a high-stakes issue in Delhi’s political landscape