New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted a man, who was accused of being part of a riotous mob that burned properties in northeast Delhi during the February 25, 2020 riots, due to a lack of sufficient evidence to prove the accused's presence in the mob beyond a reasonable doubt.
Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala stated that the police had filed the charge sheet in a mechanical manner without actually investigating the incidents.
The court observed that while the prosecution established the presence of an unlawful assembly involved in rioting and vandalism, the accused Javed’s involvement could not be sufficiently proven.
It also noted that the charge sheet was filed for multiple incidents without thorough investigation, and certain sections of the Indian Penal Code were invoked without proper consideration of the actual situation.
Hence, the court acquitted Javed of all charges and referred the matter back to the Station House Officer (SHO) to take further action in accordance with the law, regarding the incidents reported against him.
“Accused is hereby acquitted of all the charges. The matter is referred back to SHO to take further steps in respect of incidents reported in accordance with the law,” the court said.
With inputs from IANS