2020 Delhi Riots: Nine Muslim Men Acquitted In Arson Case Over Lack Of Clarity In Police Statement, No Public Witness

The Karkardooma Court has acquitted nine people in the case of burning warehouses and vehicles during the 2020 Delhi riots, citing the benefit of doubt.

According to Jagran, due to a lack of clarity in the testimony of police officers, additional sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachal announced this decision.

The said incident took place on 25 February 2020, near Chaman Park at Shiv Vihar T-point in the Gokalpur police station area where rioters set fire to the warehouses of SS Glass and Plywood Company.

The company owner, Dinesh Agrawal, lodged a complaint with the police three days after the incident. It was also mentioned in the complaint that the rioters had set fire to a tempo and a motorcycle.

Two other vehicles were also damaged. Subsequently, the police had registered a First Information Report (FIR). During the trial, Constable Vipin and Head Constable Hari Babu appeared as witnesses.

Shahnawaz alias Shanu, Azaad, Shahrukh, Mohammad Shoaib, Monu alias Rashid, Parvez, Rashid, Mohammad Faisal, and Ashraf Ali were accused in the case. Charges were framed against them in December 2021.

Advocate Zed Babar Chauhan, representing three of the accused during the trial, argued that there is no public witness in this case. The defense lawyers cast doubt on the testimony of the eyewitness police officers.

Similarly, the lawyers of the other accused, Salim Malik and Abdul Gaffar, argued that the police officers did not record their statements when public information emerged.

While the prosecution also made its arguments, the court acquitted all the accused giving them the benefit of the doubt based on the defense's argument.