2023 Supreme(Del) 3467
IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Satish Chandra Sharma, Subramonium Prasad, JJ.
Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi – Appellant
Versus
Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors. – Respondents
W.P.(C) 1851 of 2021 and C.M. Nos. 5422 of 2021, 37296 of 2022, 37297 of 2022, 37298 of 2022, 4479 of 2023, 28090 of 2023, 28092 of 2023
Decided On : 18-07-2023
Petitioner in person.
Mr. Santosh Kr. Tripathi, SC with Mr. Arun Panwar, Ms. Mahak Rankawat, Mr. Utkarsh Singh and Mr. Pradyumn Rao, Advocates, for the Respondent No.1.
Mr. Anil Soni, CGSC, for the Respondent/UOI.
The main legal point established in the judgment is that the establishment of Human Rights Courts and the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor must be in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Headnote:
Human Rights Courts - Establishment and Role of Special Public Prosecutor - The court found that the Human Rights Courts had already been established and the Special Public Prosecutor had been appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. As a result, the court disposed of the writ petition as there was no further reason to proceed with the proceedings.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought relief for the establishment of Human Rights Courts and the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor under Sections 30 and 31 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the Human Rights Courts had already been established and the Special Public Prosecutor had been appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. As a result, the court disposed of the writ petition as there was no further reason to proceed with the proceedings.
Issues: The issues revolved around the establishment of Human Rights Courts and the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor under Sections 30 and 31 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the fact that the Human Rights Courts had already been established and the Special Public Prosecutor had been appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Final Decision: The court disposed of the writ petition as there was no further reason to proceed with the proceedings.
JUDGMENT
Satish Chandra Sharma, C.J. The instant Writ Petition was filed and argued by the Petitioner in person, seeking the following reliefs-
"I. Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of quo warranto, mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order quashing Delhi Gazette. Pt. IV No. 259 dt. 24.11.2020, Govt. of the NCT of Delhi, N.C.T.D. No. 209 (SG-DL-E-25112020-223298) and/or;
II. Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of quo warranto, mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order quashing Govt. of the NCT of Delhi Notification F.6/13/2011-Judl./Suptlaw/721-725 dt. 14.06.2011 and/or;
III. Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order directing Respondents to ensure one Human Rights Court under Section 30 of Act 10 of 1994 in each of the eleven district courts of Delhi in accord with the International Rule of Law which is the mandate of Articles 51 and 253 of the Constitution of India, 1949 read with sub-section (d) & (f) of section 2 of Central Act No. 10 of 1994 within a period of 240 days or lesser period, preferably in seisen of the Learned District & Sessions Judge, as may be in the wisdom of this Hon'ble Court and/or;
IV. Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order directing Respondents to ensure one Independent Human Rights Prosecutor under Section 31 of Act 10 of 1994 exclusively appointed to examine and process claims of human rights offences for prosecution of appropriate case before the Human Rights Court in each of the eleven district courts of Delhi in accord with the International Rule of Law which is the mandate of Articles 51 and 253 of the Constitution of India, 1949 read with sub-section (d) & (f) of section 2 of Central Act No. 10 of 1994 within a period of 240 days or lesser period, as may be in the wisdom of this Hon'ble Court and/or;
V. Pass any other order as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice."
2. Vide Order dated 15.02.2021, this Court had issued notice only with respect to Prayers III & IV and directed the Respondents to file counter-affidavits only with regards to the same. Further, observing that several parties had been impleaded as Respondents who were either not necessary nor proper, this Court deemed it fit to direct deletion of Respondent Nos. 3-10 from the array of parties and directed the Petitioner to file an amended memo of parties.
3. The reply filed by the Home Department of Respondent GNCTD, reveals that the Human Rights Courts have already been established and the Home Department of GNCTD vide Notification bearing no. F8/272/2020/HP/I1/617-632 dated 08.03.2021 has specified the Additional Public Prosecutor of Directorate of Prosecution attached with the concerned Courts of Additional Sessions Judge in each district of Delhi/Designated Courts to deal with the cases pending in such Courts under the Protection of Human Right Act, 1993.
4. Vide Order dated 07.07.2022 too, this Court observed the aforesaid. Mr. Santosh Kumar Tripathi, Ld. Standing Counsel for the Respondent/GNCTD had brought to the notice of this Court that vide the aforesaid notification the Home Department has specified the Additional Public Prosecutor of Directorate of Prosecution attached with the concerned Courts of Additional Sessions Judge in each district of Delhi/Designated Courts to deal with the cases pending in such Courts under the Protection of Human Right Act, 1993.
5. From a perusal of the prayers, it is evident that the Petitioner sought relief inasmuch as the establishment of Human Rights Courts and the role of Special Public Prosecutor existed under Section 30 & 31 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 respectively.
6. Section 30 of the Protection of Human Right Act, 1993 provides for designation of a Court of Session in each district to be a human rights court, in order to provide for speedy trial to offences emanating out of violation of human rights. The proviso to