A Delhi court has acquitted six men accused in a 2020 Northeast Delhi riots case, sharply criticising the Delhi Police for filing a “fabricated” chargesheet and tampering with records. The court held that the prosecution had “miserably failed” to prove any charges.
Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh, in an order dated January 31, exonerated Prem Prakash alias Kake, Ishu Gupta, Rajkumar alias Siwainya, Amit alias Annu, Rahul alias Golu, and Hariom Sharma of all charges. The accused had been booked for rioting, arson, attempt to murder, theft, and criminal conspiracy under various sections of the Indian Penal Code in connection with incidents near Azizia Masjid in Sudamapuri on February 25, 2020.
“The prosecution has miserably failed to prove its case against the accused,” Judge Singh ruled, ordering their acquittal.
The court found glaring inconsistencies in witness testimonies and serious procedural lapses in the investigation, observing that several witnesses initially stated they had not seen any rioters, only to later identify specific individuals by name in altered statements.
“The case of the prosecution is found to be a built-up case on the basis of the witnesses who, according to their initial statements, had not seen any of the rioters but who, as per their subsequent tampered, manipulated and fabricated statements, identified the accused,” the court noted.
The judge also found that the video evidence cited by the prosecution lacked mandatory certification under the Indian Evidence Act, and therefore could not be relied upon.
Judge Singh minced no words in condemning the conduct of investigating officers and their superiors, stating:
“I must observe that the audacity and impunity with which the record was tampered with reflects a complete breakdown of the supervisory mechanism because the fabricated chargesheet was forwarded by the supervisory officers.”
He directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Delhi Police Commissioner for initiating appropriate action against those responsible.
The court further remarked:
“Had that mechanism worked as it is expected to work, the rights of the accused and the expectation of the society at large that criminal cases are investigated fairly would not have been bulldozed and pulverised.”
The case stemmed from alleged arson, looting, and vandalism committed during the February 2020 communal riots in Northeast Delhi, one of the worst instances of violence in the capital in recent memory. The six accused were arrested for allegedly being part of a mob that targeted properties near Azizia Masjid.
