‘For Centre to take call’: Delhi HC dismisses petition seeking NIA probe into youth protests

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the youth protests in the national capital and the July 20 march to Parliament over alleged examination irregularities, Live Law reported. The court said that any decision to transfer a case to the agency must be taken by the Union government.

The petition, filed by a former office bearer of the Hindutva organisation Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, alleged that the protests were part of a “larger conspiracy” involving “external funding”.

On Friday, a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said that under Section 6 of the National Investigation Agency Act, only the Union government can decide whether a case should be transferred to the agency.

“You are asking us to form an opinion that this is a fit case,” Bar and Bench quoted the court as saying. “This job has been entrusted to the Central government.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, urged the court to issue notice in the matter, saying it involved questions under “public law”, Live Law reported.

However, the court said the government had the authority to take a decision if it considered an NIA investigation necessary.

“If you want to refer investigation to NIA you can do so,”...

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