Anti-CAA Protests : Detention Of Minors In Police Station Illegal, Orders Magistrate In Delhi; Police Asked To Allow Detainees To Meet Lawyers, Provide Medical Aid

Acting on a complaint that lawyers were not permitted to meet persons who were detained by police in the wake of anti-CAA protests at Delhi, the Chief Metrapolitan Magistrate (Central Delhi) passed an order on Friday night directing the Daryagang Station House Officer to allow the detainees to meet their lawyers in terms of Section 41 D of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

It was also brought to the attention of the Magistrate that several detainees were minors, who cannot detained in police station as per the law.

Noting that the exact number of minors who were under alleged detention was not available, the CMM Arul Verma stated :

"it is suffice to say  if there be any minor, or a child who is allegedly in conflict with law, he or she ought not to be detained in the first instance itself. Detention of minor in a police station is a flagrant violation of law".

The CMM then proceeded to order that if there are any minors, they should be dealt with as per the provisions under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 and the rules made thereunder. As per this law, minors cannot be detained in a police station.

The complaint was brought to the CMM by Kriti Awasthi on behalf of "Lawyers and Detainees" along with her advocates Aditya S Pujari and Viren Bansal.

The CMM has also ordered the police to provide medical aid to the detainees who are in injured condition.

As per a late night update, the minors detained at Daryaganj Police Station were released following the CMM's order.

There are reports that people are detained at Seemapuri police station, where lawyers are being prevented from meeting the detainees.