Killing of Muslim man during Delhi riot: Delhi court frames charges against 7 men

New Delhi: A Delhi court invoked various charges under the Indian Penal Code against seven people who have accused of killing a Muslim who was returning home with sweets during the northeast Delhi riots.

A case under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code read with Sections 149 (offence committed by any member of unlawful assembly in prosecution of common object) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC has been charged against the accused Aman Kashyap, Arun Kumar, Ashish, Devender Kumar, Pradeep Rai, Krishan Kant Dhiman and Rahul by Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav.

A mob consisting of the seven men have been accused of attacking and killing the victim Monish with sticks and stones after establishing his Muslim identity.

The court, however, expressed doubt whether the prosecution established the part of the accused in indulging in the act of damaging public properties to book them under Sections 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by a public servant), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house, etc) of IPC and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

The lawyers who appeared for the accused claimed that they were falsely implicated by the investigation agency citing the absence CCTVs footage and delay in filing the FIR against the accused.

The prosecution cited the busy schedule of the police officials maintaining the law and order duties amid the riots in the delay in filing the FIR.