New Delhi. Retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon has been appointed as the Claims Commissioner to investigate and award compensation for damages incurred during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) and the subsequent riots that occurred in North-East Delhi.
The Delhi High Court Acting Chief Justice Manmohan appointed Justice Asha to the post for six months starting from December 1 after the move was approved by Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
“Hon’ble the Acting Chief Justice, Delhi High Court has been pleased to appoint Ms. Justice Asha Menon (Retd.) as Claims Commissioner to investigate the damages and to award compensation relating to the Anti-CAA protests and the subsequent riots that took place in the North East District and in the jurisdiction of various Police Stations in Delhi, for a period of six months with effect from 01.12.2023, subject to further extension if necessary,” the December 8 order issued by the Delhi government said.
The order also sets out the facilities to be extended to Justice Asha Menon to carry out her duties as the claim commissioner. It would include secretarial assistance, a chauffeur-driven vehicle, requisite office and staff, security and other requirements she may need to perform her task.
The North-East Delhi riots took place in 2020 in the wake of protests against the CAA, 2019.
In September 2020, the Delhi police told a Delhi court that during the violence that took place from February 22 to February 26, 53 were reported dead and 530 were injured including 106 police officials. As many as 16,381 PCR calls were received, it was further submitted.
Several cases, including those citing offences under the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were later filed against several people, including political leaders and Delhi-based activists who were accused of orchestrating a larger conspiracy to trigger the riots.
