Why Was Ex-Orissa HC Chief Justice Shunted After Delhi Riots Verdict? ‘Don’t Know What Upset Central Govt’

Bengaluru: Soon after Justice S Muralidhar delivered his verdict on the 2020 Delhi riots, he was transferred from the Delhi High Court to Punjab & Haryana High Court.

The former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court had directed Delhi Police to ensure safety and treatment for victims of the north-east Delhi riots, which saw bloodshed, destruction of property and clashes between two communities in the last week of February 2020.

Asked about the verdict at an event in Bengaluru, Justice Muralidhar said he did not understand why his order had upset the central government, and was of the opinion that any other judge should have done the same thing.

“I don’t know what is it that upset… Any other judge should have done the same thing. Every other colleague of mine in the Delhi High Court would have reacted the same way. I don’t think anybody else would have acted differently. So, what is that upset the government? I am as clueless as you are, if at all they were upset,” Live Law quoted Justice Muralidhar as saying.

“It does not matter, because many people feel that it was the right thing to do. In fact, it was. I was later told that many lives were saved with that intervention by the Court,” he added.

Justice Muralidhar, who dealt with urgent pleas over police inaction in the riots, presided over three sittings.

Following an emergency midnight hearing at his residence, Justice Muralidhar issued an order directing Delhi Police to deploy “all the resources at its command” to ensure the safety of riot-affected people and prompt shifting of those injured for emergency treatment.

He also asked Delhi Police to submit a compliance report.

In another order, Justice Muralidhar directed the government to arrange temporary shelter, treatment and counselling for displaced riot victims.

Justice Muralidhar, who retired as Chief Justice of Orissa HC in August, delivered a number of notable judgments. Many believe he deserved to be elevated to the Supreme Court.