Hashimpura massacre: Issue requires serious consideration, says Delhi High Court

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today agreed to hear in detail the appeals filed by the victims of 1987 Hashimpura massacre and the Uttar Pradesh government against acquittal of 16 policemen in the case by a trial court, saying it requires serious consideration and cannot be brushed aside.

"The issue requires serious consideration and it cannot be just brushed aside. We will hear the parties in detail," a bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and R K Gauba said.

After perusing the records, the bench said occurrence of the incident is not in dispute and even the trial court had said this in its judgement while acquitting the policemen.

"There are three issues, first that the occurrence is not disputed, second that the .303 bullets were found which are primarily from police rifles and the third point is the truck which the FSL said it was washed. These are some of the points which require serious consideration," the bench said to the counsel of victims of massacre.

Meanwhile, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also filed an intervener application seeking further inquiry into the incident and framing of guidelines for cases of custodial crimes.

"Owing to the malafide nature of investigation, the police as well as the CB-CID have deliberately suppressed and concealed certain material evidences, in order to screen the accused Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel and to shield them from punishment.

"There is reason to believe that, facts and documents within the knowledge of the PAC were suppressed or not brought on record before the trial court," NHRC said in its plea.

The plea further said that given the "scale and gravity of custodial crimes", their is urgent need for issuance of guidelines for redressal and prevention of such offences.

The court issued notice to all 16 policemen on the NHRC's plea and sought their response before the next date of hearing on October 20.

It also asked the victims' counsel as how can Delhi Legal Service Authority (DLSA) be made to pay the compensation to the affected families as per the trial court order and what quantity of compensation could be granted and by whom.

Earlier, on May 29, the court had sought response from the 16 policemen on the appeal filed by UP government against the trial court verdict.