Bhati faced serious charges, including attempt to murder, rioting, theft, and arson. These allegations after an an incident on February 24, 2020, at Shiv Vihar in northeast Delhi, where the victim had suffered gunshot wounds during an attack by a mob.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has strongly criticized a police officer for allegedly using a “manipulated video” to falsely implicate an accused in a case related to the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi. The court also asked the Police Commissioner to review the officer’s actions and take appropriate steps.
Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala highlighted several lapses in the investigation. He described the officer’s conduct as “unprofessional” for combining six complaints into one case without conducting a thorough investigation.
The court noted that instead of identifying the real culprits shown in the video clip, the investigating officer (IO) accused Sandeep Bhati of assaulting the victim.
The judge remarked, “Instead of finding the actual culprits who were seen in the clip, the IO framed Sandeep Bhati for assaulting the victim and even the source of the video clip received on WhatsApp was not traced.”
Bhati faced serious charges, including attempt to murder, rioting, theft, and arson. These allegations stemmed from an incident on February 24, 2020, at Shiv Vihar in northeast Delhi, where the victim had suffered gunshot wounds during an attack by a mob.
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The court stated that the case against Bhati relied solely on two video clips. However, one video did not show him at all, while the other allegedly depicted him stopping others from attacking the victim.
Highlighting the manipulation, the court observed, “Investigating officer (IO) did not use that longer video, rather he cut short that video for five seconds, to omit the portion showing the role of the accused as stopping others from assaulting the victim.”
The judge concluded that the investigating officer failed to conduct a proper investigation and falsely implicated Bhati based on the “manipulated” video.
The court also criticized the officer for combining six other complaints into this case without sufficient evidence. These complaints were linked to the presumption that the same mob was responsible for multiple rioting incidents. However, apart from the complainants’ statements, no concrete evidence supported this claim.
The judge stated, “Giving any finding qua these six complaints in this case, on the basis of illegal and unprofessional conduct of IO to simply club them in this case without complete and proper investigation, will be injustice with these six complainants.”
Judge Pramachala directed the matter to the Police Commissioner for further action, stating,
“I deem it fit to refer this matter to commissioner of police, to make assessment of the conduct of IO, in the background of observations made herein above, and to take suitable steps.”
The Delhi Riots of 2020 erupted on February 23 in Northeast Delhi, following clashes between groups supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Over 53 lives were lost, more than 200 individuals sustained injuries, and the violence caused extensive destruction, including arson of houses, shops, and religious places.
Causes of the Riots
- Anti-CAA Protests
Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act began in December 2019, fueled by concerns that the Act discriminated against Muslims. The combination of the CAA and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) was seen by many as a threat to the Muslim community. The demonstrations, including the symbolic Shaheen Bagh protest led by women, gained widespread attention but also caused significant disruptions. - Jamia Millia Islamia Incident
On December 15, 2019, police allegedly entered the Jamia Millia Islamia University campus and used force against anti-CAA protestors, injuring many students. The incident sparked nationwide condemnation and protests. - Polarizing Rhetoric During Delhi Elections
In the run-up to the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections, incendiary remarks by political leaders further escalated tensions. Slogans and speeches equating anti-CAA protesters to anti-national elements created an atmosphere of division. - February 22 Sit-in Protest
A sit-in protest near the Jaffrabad metro station blocked key roads, escalating tensions. This protest, in solidarity with a Bharat Bandh call by the Bhim Army, was a precursor to the clashes.
Timeline of the Riots
- February 23: BJP leader Kapil Mishra issued an ultimatum for police to clear anti-CAA protests. His speech was followed by violent clashes in areas like Maujpur, Karawal Nagar, and Chand Bagh.
- February 24-25: Violence escalated, with arson, stone-pelting, and vandalism reported across riot-hit areas. A mosque in Ashok Nagar was vandalized, and an Intelligence Bureau officer, Ankit Sharma, was found dead.
- February 26-29: Though violence began to subside, arson and attacks continued sporadically.
Key Incidents
- Clashes and Arson: Petrol bombs, sticks, and firearms were used extensively. Both Hindu and Muslim mobs targeted each other’s properties.
- Journalist Attacks: Several journalists were assaulted while covering the riots, prompting a response from the Editors Guild of India.
- Police Conduct: Allegations surfaced of police inaction and complicity during the violence. A video from February 26 showed police assaulting injured men and forcing them to sing the national anthem.
Aftermath
- The riots resulted in 53 fatalities and over 200 injuries. Emergency services received over 10,000 calls during the week-long unrest.
- The Delhi Minorities Commission reported that outsiders orchestrated much of the violence, with over 2,000 individuals allegedly occupying local schools to plan attacks.
- The Delhi High Court directed the police to consider filing cases against individuals who incited violence through speeches, but law enforcement sought additional time for investigation.
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