Arson attack on Madina Masjid: Court orders FIR registration

New Delhi: A court here has ordered the Delhi Police to register FIR into the alleged arson attack on Madina Masji, Shiv Vihar during the Delhi riots last year.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayuri Singh asked the Station House Officer of Karawal Nagar Police Station to register the FIR after observing that cognizable offence is clearly made out in the incident and a proper investigation is required.

The petitioners in the case alleged that on 25th February 2020, evening, about 20-25 people, who were residents of the same locality, gathered in the Madina Masjid Gali armed with lathies, sticks, rods, acid and petrol bottles. The accused rioters stormed into the mosque and destroyed everything inside. They set mosque on fire after dumping two LPG cylinders into the building, that caused an explosion.

The petitioners also cited that on 26th February, 2020 some of the rioters were seen climbing atop of the mosque and chanting Jai Sri Ram and hoisting saffron flag over the masjid.

The court noted that though the complaint was filed four months after the incident, it would be appropriate that an FIR is registered and a compete investigation is carried out.

The riots that followed with anti-CAA, NRC protests, in North East district of Delhi between February 23 and 29 claimed the lives of more than 50 people, the majority of whom were Muslims and injured more than 500.

Several field investigations have documented a disturbing pattern of grave human rights violations committed by the Delhi police during the riots.

Amnesty International India's investigation report said that the police officers were indulging in violence with the rioters and tortured the victims in custody and used excessive force on protesters.

The police were also accused of dismantling the sites of peaceful protests and of being mute spectators as rioters unilaterally wreaked havoc on the victims.