Six Men Acquitted in 2020 Delhi Communal Riots Case

A Delhi court has acquitted six men accused of arson, rioting, and theft during the 2020 communal riots in northeast Delhi. The court noted insufficient evidence against the accused, including unverified DVR footage and inconclusive call detail records. The charges could not be proven.

A Delhi court has acquitted six men who were facing allegations of arson, rioting, and theft during the 2020 communal riots in northeast Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala, who was presiding over the case, noted that the accusations included claims of looting, vandalism, and the torching of a house in Shiv Vihar on February 25, 2020. A complaint regarding a clinic being set ablaze was also included in the case.

In a decision announced on Friday, the court pointed out that the prosecution presented digital video recorder (DVR) footage as evidence. However, the court found no witnesses to identify the accused in the videos. Furthermore, the investigating officer failed to verify the appearance of the accused through scientific examination or by comparing the video clips with the specimen pictures of the accused.

Additionally, the court noted that call detail records (CDR) failed to establish either the exact location or involvement of the accused in the incident.

Judge Pramachala concluded, "I am of the opinion that there is no incriminating evidence against the accused persons," leading to the acquittal of Hashim Ali, Abu Bakar, Mohammad Ajeej, Rashid Ali, Nazmuddin, and Mohammad Danish. The charges against all six were deemed unproven.

The case had been registered by the Karawal Nagar police station.