Delhi Riots 2020: Court Acquits Six Accused, Orders Probe Into Tampered Police Records
Delhi court acquits six in 2020 riots case, blames police for fabricated evidence.
A Delhi court on Tuesday acquitted six accused in a 2020 Northeast Delhi riots case, stating that the prosecution “miserably failed” to prove the charges and highlighting serious lapses in the police investigation. The court also directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to take action against officials responsible for tampering with records and filing a “fabricated” chargesheet.
Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh acquitted Prem Prakash alias Kake, Ishu Gupta, Rajkumar alias Siwainya, Amit alias Annu, Rahul alias Golu, and Hariom Sharma. They were accused of rioting, arson, looting, and conspiracy near Azizia Masjid in Sudamapuri during the riots on February 25, 2020.
The judge noted that the case was built on manipulated statements and unreliable witness testimony. Several witnesses initially claimed they had not seen any rioters, but later identified specific accused in statements that the court termed “tampered, manipulated and fabricated.”
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The court also criticised the prosecution’s reliance on video evidence, stating it lacked mandatory certification under the Evidence Act. “Had the investigative mechanism worked as expected, the rights of the accused and public trust in fair investigation would not have been bulldozed,” the judgment observed.
Judge Singh highlighted that supervisory officers had forwarded the fabricated chargesheet, reflecting a complete breakdown in police oversight. The court emphasised that action must be taken against those who manipulated records to uphold accountability in the criminal justice system.
The acquittal underscores ongoing concerns over investigative integrity in sensitive cases and raises questions about police accountability in high-profile communal incidents, while reinforcing the judiciary’s role in safeguarding the rights of accused individuals.
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