New Delhi: A Delhi court has slammed the city police for conducting a flawed and confusing investigation into a case of arson and destruction of Muslim properties during the 2020 anti-Muslim violence in northeast Delhi under the Modi regime’s watch.
Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh of Karkardooma Courts described the proceedings as a “complete mess” and said there was no clarity regarding the role of the mobs involved in the violence. The court noted that the charges framed by police lacked coherence and failed to identify the perpetrators of specific acts of arson and vandalism.
The judge expressed strong displeasure over the prosecution’s disregard of an earlier court order passed on January 21 this year, which had directed the police to conduct a more transparent and fair investigation. The court said the authorities had shown “total non-compliance” with the order and attempted to bypass judicial scrutiny.
Judge Singh directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure full compliance with previous directives and to submit a detailed report by November 14. He observed that the prosecution had tried to “circumvent” the court’s earlier order by filing a supplementary charge sheet that sought withdrawal of seven complaints and discharge of two accused, Mohammad Azhar and Mohammad Arif, without registering new FIRs against them.
Police have so far arrested five individuals — Komal Mishra, Gaurav, Golu, Azhar, and Arif — on charges of rioting, arson, and criminal conspiracy. All of them are currently on bail.
Observers say the mishandling of the case reflects the continuing bias of Indian law enforcement agencies in cases involving Muslim victims of the 2020 riots.
