In a recent development, a Delhi court has discharged 11 accused individuals in connection with a 2020 northeast Delhi riots case. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala presided over the case and stated that there was no substantial evidence to suggest the accused had committed the alleged offences.
The accused were implicated in a case involving rioting, stone pelting, vandalism, and arson at Sherpur Chowk in Dayalpur on February 23, 2020. Additionally, nine other complaints were clubbed with this case for investigation.
In its order dated March 4, the court emphasized that a mere general piece of evidence was insufficient to charge an individual for a specific incident. It pointed out the lack of specific evidence linking the accused to criminal conspiracy.
The court highlighted that eyewitness statements were vague and general, lacking clarity regarding the involvement of the accused in the incidents. The investigating officer reportedly witnessed two mobs engaging in altercations, leading to stone-throwing and vehicle torching.
However, the court noted a failure to determine which mob was responsible for each specific incident. Consequently, the court ruled that there was no grave suspicion against the accused individuals, and therefore, they were entitled to discharge from the case.
The discharged individuals include Ajmat Ali, Shadab Alam, Naved, Mohammed Shahid, Mohammed Sakir, Nadeem, Mohammed Sohail, Sultan Ahmed, Wazid, Suleman, and Mohammed Faeem.
This decision marks a significant development in the legal proceedings related to the 2020 Delhi riots, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced in determining individual culpability amidst communal violence.
The court's decision underscores the importance of concrete and specific evidence in establishing criminal liability, emphasizing the need for meticulous investigation and adherence to legal procedures in cases of such nature.
The discharged individuals can now move forward without the legal burden that had loomed over them, while the case continues to unfold in the broader context of seeking justice and accountability for the incidents that transpired during the Delhi riots.
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