2020 Delhi riots: Court acquits six, slams police for trampling accused’s rights

New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted six men in a case related to the 2020 riots, sharply criticizing the prosecution for fabricating evidence and violating the rights of the accused. The court also directed the judgment to be sent to the Police Commissioner for remedial action.

Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh, in a 41-page order issued on August 25, acquitted Ishu Gupta, Prem Prakash, Raj Kumar, Manish Sharma, Rahul and Amit, who were accused of rioting and arson on February 25, 2020.

The court observed that the case against the men was based largely on their disclosures, with the only eyewitness, head constable Vikas, found to be unreliable. “It is apparent that merely in order to work out the case, a false case has been foisted upon the accused and prosecution witness 10, head constable Vikas, the only eyewitness of the case, is completely unreliable qua these accused persons,” the judge said.

The order further noted “egregious padding of evidence” by the investigating officer, which it said led to a “serious trampling of the rights of the accused,” who appeared to have been charge sheeted simply to show progress in the case.

The judge also criticized the station house officer and assistant commissioner of police for forwarding the chargesheet in a “mechanical manner” despite obvious flaws, warning that such practices undermine both the investigative process and public faith in the rule of law.

Calling the situation “saddening,” the court stressed the need for corrective measures and asked the Commissioner of Police to take appropriate action.