Court reserves order on plea for FIR against VK Singh

A Delhi court on Friday reserved its order on a criminal complaint seeking lodging of an FIR against Union minister V K Singh for his alleged “dog” remark in wake of an incident in Faridabad where two children of a Dalit family were allegedly burnt alive.

Metropolitan Magistrate Muneesh Garg fixed the matter for pronouncement of order on December 7 after hearing the submissions of the complainant, advocate Satya Prakash Gautam, who said Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, had hurt the sentiments of the Dalit community. Gautam has also sought action against the SHO of Jafrabad police station and the investigating officer for not taking action on his complaint and refusing to register an FIR in the matter. The lawyer argued that there has been a violation of section 17 of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as such matters cannot be investigated by a police officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. “Singh called those minor children of the Dalit community ‘dogs’. It is insulting to compare my community with a dog. How can police say there is nothing derogatory? I want action against them for saying there is no evidence,” the advocate said. “Summon, confiscate his entire property which the accused person had collected through unfair means by exploiting the religious feelings of innocent citizens, under appropriate sections SC/ST (POA) Act, IT Act and IPC,” the complaint by the advocate had said. The police, in its action taken report (ATR), had earlier told the court that the former Army Chief had not made any “specific derogatory and humiliating statement” warranting his prosecution on the complaint for his alleged “dog” remark.