The Delhi High Court on Thursday told the Delhi Police to promptly decide on a request made by National Students Union of India (NSUI) leader and former Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) President Ronak Khatri for protection after he allegedly faced extortion calls from gangster Rohit Godara [Ronak Khatri Vs State (NCT) Of Delhi].
Justice Ravindra Dudeja passed the order while closing a plea filed by Khatri before the Court in the matter.
“It is the duty of the State to ensure protection of the life of all the citizens of the country. This Court being the constitutional court is expected to further the constitutional protection of citizens. Since the petitioner perceives threat to the life, the DCP Outer North and DCP Special Cell are directed to expedite the request for police protection," the Court said.
The Court also directed a beat constable and the concerned Station House Officer to visit Khatri every day until a Special Cell of the Delhi Police conducted a threat perception assessment about the risks he faces.
These officers have also been urged to attend any threatening call that Khatri may receive in the near future.
“The beat constables and SHO shall be duly counselled to attend the call if made (to the) petitioner. It is further directed that the beat constable shall visit the petitioner at least once for the next two weeks to ensure his well being,” the Court directed.
Khatri had told the Court that on September 29, he received a WhatsApp call from a Ukraine-based number from a person claiming to be gangster Rohit Godara, who threatened to murder him unless he pays ₹5 crores.
The State's Senior Standing Counsel Sanjay Lao today told the Court that Khatri has already been given the phone number of the beat constable.
Further, his application seeking police security has been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Outer North and is now being considered by the Special Cell to assess the threat perception.
"We can send one beat constable to his house everyday to assess if he is in trouble. The call (on extending police protection) has to be taken by Special Cell,” he added.
Ronak Khatri's counsel impressed upon the Court that the threat he is facing is palpable and that he is fearing for his life.
"I am not able to campaign and step out of my house. Already a month has passed, there is credible threat, he (the gangster who allegedly made the threats) is a history sheeter. The threat is imminent. One person has been shot by the same modus operandi," he stated.
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