Delhi Court Takes Cognizance of CBI Chargesheet, Summons Police Officers in 2020 Riots Death Case
In a significant development over five years after the tragic events of the Northeast Delhi riots in 2020, a Delhi court has officially summoned two police officers in connection with the death of a 23-year-old Muslim youth, Faizan. The court action follows the filing of a chargesheet by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), marking a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn widespread attention and legal scrutiny.
Court Order and Legal Framework
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mayank Goel, in his order dated February 4, stated that there is sufficient material on record to take cognizance of offences under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), and 304(II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) read with Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court has summoned Head Constable Ravinder Kumar and Constable Pawan Yadav to appear before it on February 24, 2026.
Notably, the murder charge that was initially invoked in the FIR has been dropped from the chargesheet. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the CBI concluded that the homicide occurred during riot control operations and that the officers did not possess the specific intent to kill Faizan. This decision has sparked discussions on the legal distinctions between murder and culpable homicide in such contexts.
Background of the Case and Allegations
The case stems from an incident during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, where Faizan allegedly died after being assaulted by police personnel. A purported video from the time showed police assaulting five men, including Faizan, forcing them to sing the National Anthem and Vande Mataram, and prodding them with sticks as they lay injured on the ground. Faizan later succumbed to his injuries, leading to public outcry and legal petitions.
Faizan's mother filed a petition alleging that her son died "at the hands of Delhi Police by reason of unlawful use of force and authority." In response, the Delhi High Court, in July 2024, directed the CBI to probe the death, describing the police actions as a "hate crime" motivated by religious bigotry. The court criticized the initial police probe as "tardy," "sketchy," and "conveniently sparing the persons who are suspected to be involved in brutally assaulting" Faizan.
Investigation and Procedural Steps
The CBI, represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Prashant Kumar Sharma, filed the chargesheet in January 2026 after a thorough investigation. On January 19, ACJM Goel had directed the Investigating Officer to provide a written explanation for filing the chargesheet under Section 304(II) IPC instead of Section 302 (murder) IPC as per the FIR. This procedural step underscores the court's diligence in ensuring legal accuracy and transparency.
In a related development, the Delhi Police had initiated departmental inquiries against two policemen in July 2024, prior to the CBI's involvement. The case is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges in Delhi riots cases, where courts have previously flagged issues with fabricated evidence and police conduct in other acquittals.
Implications and Next Steps
The summoning of the police officers sets the stage for a formal trial, where the evidence collected by the CBI will be examined in detail. The focus will likely be on establishing the extent of culpability and whether the actions of the officers amounted to culpable homicide under the IPC. Legal experts anticipate that this case could have implications for police accountability and riot control protocols in India.
As the proceedings move forward, stakeholders, including human rights groups and the victim's family, will be closely monitoring the outcomes. The court's handling of this sensitive case is expected to contribute to ongoing debates on justice, law enforcement ethics, and communal violence in the country.
