Parliament Highlights: 1922 Delhi rioters identified, Shah in Rajya Sabha

Amit Shah defending the Delhi Police said that over 700 FIRs have been lodged over the violence and special public prosectors have been appointed

Parliament Budget Session LIVE Updates: At least 1922 people have been identified as "culprits" for the riots in Delhi last month, said Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday.

Shah told Rajya Sabha government agencies had information about the conspiracy behind riots, insisting the government was committed to "a scientific and impartial investigation". "There will be no discrimination based on religion or caste," he said a day after speaking about the violence in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The opposition, during the Lok Sabha debate, had asked for Shah's resignation but the treasury side said he had been "pro-active" in containing the violence.
 

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7:24 PM

Opposition demands judicial probe, condemns delay in action

 Opposition parties on Thursday panned the government as well as the police over the Delhi violence last month that claimed over 50 lives, and warned that the spread of the "communal virus" would eventually pose to a threat to democracy. Taking part in a short-duration debate in Rajya Sabha on the recent law and order situation in some parts of Delhi, some Opposition members said the "communal virus" being unleashed by the BJP was "no less harmful" than the coronavirus. If the "virus" is spread among the youth, democracy will be destroyed, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, initiating the discussion.

7:18 PM

76% people killed in riots are from Congress ruled states: Amit Shah

Amit Shah says it is absurd to relate the BJP with violence adding that we are not ones to conduct riots instead we check and end them. Shah is reading the places where riots have taken place in the country adding 76 per cent people killed in riots are from Congress ruled states. 

7:15 PM

Transfer of Justice Muralidhar done on recommendation of Collegium

On the transfer of Justice Muralidhar a day after his orders on Delhi violence, Amit Shah said that the order is issued by the government on the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium. it is not related to the Delhi violence case. What sort of mindset is that an individual judge can only do justice and others can't? Shah asks in Rajya Sabha.

7:08 PM

Citizenship Act will not be used against Muslims: Shah

Want to assure nation that nothing will be done to give any relief to any guilty of Delhi riots. Hate speeches started after CAA came; Muslims being mislead, no one's citizenship is being taken away. On the provision of 'doubtful' in the NPR form, Shah said that it will not be done. He reiterated that Citizenship Act will not be used against Muslims.  

7:00 PM

Those responsible for riots will be brought to book: Shah

"Those responsible for riots irrespective of their political, religious affiliation will be brought to book. We had information prior to Feb 24 that foreign money had been distributed; 5 persons have been arrested for the crime. More than 40 special teams constituted to arrest those identified for Delhi communal riots. 50 serious cases of murder, attacks on religious places, hospitals, and educational institutions being handed over to 3 SITs," the home minister said.  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, in New Delhi | PTI photo

 

6:56 PM

Shah rebukes Kejriwal over councilor's arrest

Amit Shah says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal never asked about calling Army to control the situation during the meeting, instead he said it on February 26. The Home Minister said that a lot of material have been recovered from his councillor's house and the opposition is politicising the issue. 

6:53 PM

Shah pats Delhi Police for limiting riots

Delhi Police managed to limit the riots in 4 per cent area of Delhi affecting 13 per cent population, said Amit Shah adding that it is important for the morale of the Delhi Police. 

6:50 PM

Shah backs Delhi Police says killers of Ratan Lal, IB staffer arrested

Terming the violence a conspiracy, Amit Shah said that material from ISIS have been found and numerous social media accounts have been shut. He said that the people responsible for killing Head Constable Ratan Lal and IB staffer Ankit Saxena have been arrested by the Delhi Police. The Home Minister said that the government has also moved a proposal to collect compensation from rioters for damaging properties. The Modi government is moving ahead on the investigation in a speedy manner, Shah told Rajya Sabha. 

6:40 PM

Right to privacy not being breached in investigation: Amti Shah

The Delhi Police is taking a scientific approach and scrutinizing video footage on 25 computers to identify the culprits, said the Home Minister. He added that Aadhaar data is not being used and we respect the right to privacy. He said that the Police should have the right to identify the culprits and punish them. 1922 people have been identified. 

6:37 PM

Amit Shah defends Delhi Police says over 700 FIRs lodged

Amit Shah defending the Delhi Police said that over 700 FIRs have been lodged over the violence and a special public prosectors have been appointed.  

6:36 PM

BJP unleashing 'communal virus': Kapil Sibal

Accusing the ruling BJP of unleashing a "communal virus" in India that wreaked havoc, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah why registration of FIRs was delayed against perpetrators of hate speeches which he claimed amounted to "a licence to kill". Initiating a short-duration debate in Rajya Sabha on the recent law and order situation in some parts of Delhi, Sibal alleged that while the national capital was burning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was silent on the matter for 70 hours and the police machinery was busy destroying evidences and supporting violence or rioters.

6:35 PM

Amit Shah speaking in Rajya Sabha

Home MInister Amit Shah is speaking in the Rajya Sabha over the violence in Delhi. He said that there was no question of the government running away from the issue but the date for debate was fixed for today because we wanted to give the Police to work properly. 

3:43 PM

Economy suffering from 'coronavirus', PM must give statement in Parliament

The Indian economy was suffering from "coronavirus", the Congress said on Thursday and demanded a detailed statement in Parliament from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the economic decline of the country. The opposition party also alleged that the State Bank of India's (SBI) slashing of interest rates on savings bank accounts and fixed deposits was aimed at funding the revival of Yes Bank which was reeling under loan defaults by "friends of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

1:57 PM

BJD seeks thermal imaging cameras at Parliament

BJD member Pinaki Misra demanded thermal imaging cameras be installed in Parliament complex in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

1:14 PM

We are in constant touch with state governments, will ask them to send a report on positive cases: Health Minister