A special court in Delhi has acquitted all five accused in a high-profile case related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, delivering a sharp critique of the prosecution's evidence and the police investigation. The court highlighted 'serious inconsistencies' and a 'doubtful investigation' that failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Court Exposes Glaring Contradictions in Prosecution's Case
Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh, in a recent order, granted the benefit of doubt to the accused—Abdul Sattar, Muhammad Khalid, Hunain, Tanvir, and Arif. They had been facing charges including rioting, unlawful assembly, and vandalism for an alleged assault on an injured man at the Bhajanpura petrol pump on February 24, 2020.
The court's decision hinged on major contradictions in the prosecution's narrative, particularly concerning the timing and location of the alleged crime. The complainant, Tarun, had stated he arrived at the petrol pump between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM to refuel his motorcycle when a mob attacked him. However, testimony from a petrol pump employee, Mehraj, completely undermined this timeline.
"According to the petrol pump employee, the riot broke around 11.30am, and following it they had closed the petrol pump by tying a rope on the entrance by 12:30pm," the court noted, citing cross-examination. The judge concluded that Tarun's claim of lining up for petrol after 1:30 PM was an "impossibility" given the pump was closed to the public by 12:30 PM.
Doubts Over Location of Assault and Investigation Lapses
The court also raised serious questions about where the assault actually took place. Tarun claimed he was attacked at the petrol pump and only regained consciousness at St Stephen's Hospital. This account was directly challenged by other evidence on record.
"The complainant, in an unconscious condition, was found by his father at the Bhajanpura chowk and in front of the Bhajanpura police station," the order stated. This crucial detail cast significant doubt on whether the injury was inflicted at the petrol pump at all, as per the prosecution's claim.
The case originated during the large-scale violence that engulfed northeast Delhi in February 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Tarun alleged he suffered head injuries, memory loss, and had his motorcycle set on fire. His father, Tej Singh, took him to the hospital, leading to an FIR at the Bhajanpura police station. The accused, already arrested in another riots case from the same area, were later arrested in this matter as well.
Acquittal Highlights Broader Challenges in Riots Cases
The acquittal underscores the critical importance of watertight evidence and rigorous investigation in securing convictions, especially in complex riot-related cases. The court's order pointed to a failure to establish a coherent and credible chain of events.
By flagging the irreconcilable contradictions in the timing and location, the judgment emphasizes that the prosecution could not meet the high standard of proof required in a criminal trial—proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This case adds to the legal discourse on the challenges of prosecuting offences that occurred during the widespread communal violence, where chaotic conditions can sometimes lead to investigative gaps.
