Six Acquitted in 2020 Delhi Riots Case; Court Slams Police for “Fabricated” Charges

New Delhi, Feb 3: A Delhi court has acquitted six men accused in a case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, sharply criticizing the prosecution for failing to prove its case and accusing the police of filing a “fabricated” chargesheet and tampering with records.

Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh acquitted Prem Prakash alias Kake, Ishu Gupta, Rajkumar alias Shivanya, Amit alias Annu, Rahul alias Golu, and Hariom Sharma. The case pertained to allegations that the accused were part of a violent mob during the riots.

In an order dated January 31, the court observed that the prosecution had “badly failed” to establish the charges against the accused and acquitted them of all offences. The case was linked to incidents of arson, vandalism, and looting near the Aziziya mosque in Sudamapuri during the violence on February 25, 2020.

The accused had been charged under multiple sections of the then Indian Penal Code, including rioting, arson, attempt to murder, theft, and criminal conspiracy. The court said the case was built on “fabricated statements and unreliable testimonies.”

Judge Singh noted serious irregularities in the handling of evidence, stating that tampering with records reflected a “complete failure of the supervisory mechanism,” as a fabricated chargesheet had been filed under official oversight. The court also pointed out that several witnesses initially stated they had not seen any rioters, but later claimed to identify some of the accused by name.

The court further held that the prosecution’s video evidence could not be relied upon, as it lacked mandatory certification under the Evidence Act. Calling the investigation deeply flawed, the judge directed that a copy of the order be sent to the Delhi Police Commissioner to initiate action against those responsible.