New Delhi: Delhi High Court Friday refused to pass an interim order on a plea by a woman YouTuber, who wanted a stay on an investigation in which a police officer alleged casteist remarks and public humiliation by her when the officer was on duty during a protest near Jantar Mantar this month.Justice Mini Pushkarna said the court cannot pass any order without hearing the police’s stand. She said the matter would be heard after Oct 27.The YouTuber had earlier filed a sexual assault complaint against the officer. The complaint is being investigated by Delhi Police’s crime branch.As the counsel for the petitioner urged the court to pass an order staying the investigation in the case, the judge said: “No, not like this. I cannot pass any order without hearing them…. I cannot pass any such order like this. On the urgency expressed by the petitioner’s counsel, list on Oct 27,” the judge said.The counsel for the YouTuber told the court that Thursday, Supreme Court directed no coercive action against the woman and added that the counsel for the state should give an assurance before the high court that it will not proceed against her.He said the FIR by the ACP was lodged only to intimidate the woman.The counsel for the state submitted that she was already protected by the apex court.The FIR was registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections 221 (obstructing a public servant from discharging duty), 356(2) (defamation) and 3(5) (common intention) of BNS. The FIR said that when the officer was on duty near Jantar Mantar on Oct 3, he allegedly overheard the woman making derogatory remarks about his caste and questioning his appointment as an ACP.He said he ignored the remarks and continued with his official duty.
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