DT
PT
Subscribe To Print Edition About The Tribune Code Of Ethics Download App Advertise with us Classifieds
search-icon-img
search-icon-img
Advertisement

2020 Delhi riots: Court acquits 6, raises doubt over prosecution case

A Delhi court has acquitted six persons in a 2020 Delhi riots case, raising doubts over the testimony of two key police witnesses identifying the accused. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala was hearing the case registered by the Gokalpuri police...
  • fb
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
  • whatsapp
Advertisement

A Delhi court has acquitted six persons in a 2020 Delhi riots case, raising doubts over the testimony of two key police witnesses identifying the accused.

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala was hearing the case registered by the Gokalpuri police station against the accused.

The court acquitted Arjun, Gopal, Dharamveer, Umesh, Dheeraj and Manish, saying the charges against them were not proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

Advertisement

According to the prosecution, the six accused were part of a riotous mob that committed arson, theft and mischief by fire or explosives across various properties and shops in Gokalpuri on February 25, 2020. In an order dated January 24, the court said the prosecution relied upon two key prosecution witnesses, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Vanvir and Jahangir, to establish the identity of the accused, but they were examined only in December 2020.

“This delay in examining these two police officials, who were posted in the same police station, certainly casts doubt over the veracity of the prosecution’s case. The investigating officer did not tender any reason for such delay in recording the statement of these witnesses,” it said.

Advertisement

The court noted the statements of both the police officials about being the beat officers of the locality and that they knew the accused before the riots. “If they knew the names of the accused and if they had seen these persons in the mob of rioters, then there was no need and occasion for them to identify the accused in any video,” it said.

Their testimonies, however, referred to identifying accused in a video, which Vanvir said, did not pertain to the incidents, the court said.

The court said Jahangir could not identify three accused in the court.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
tlbr_img1 Home tlbr_img2 Opinion tlbr_img3 Classifieds tlbr_img4 Videos tlbr_img5 E-Paper