On Thursday(4th April),Delhi HC seeks police update on 2020 riot cases; 273 investigations pending despite 750 FIRs filed.
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NEW DELHI: On Thursday(4th April), the Delhi High Court requested an update from the local police regarding the progress of investigations and the status of criminal cases linked to the turbulent riots that occurred in the national capital in February 2020.
Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, heading a bench alongside Justice Manoj Jain, emphasized that despite the registration of over 750 First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the violence, a troubling 273 investigations are still pending.
Consequently, the court has instructed the Delhi Police to furnish a comprehensive status report on these cases within a span of ten days.
“The respondent is directed to file a current status report regarding the cases within 10 days,”
– mandated the bench.
The necessity for accountability and progress regarding the unfortunate incidents in North East Delhi on February 24, 2020, remains evident. Triggered by a confrontation between proponents and opponents of the citizenship law, the situation speedy evolved into a violent communal confrontation. The aftermath was characterized by tragedy, with a minimum of 53 lives lost and approximately 700 individuals sustaining injuries.
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In response to these events, the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind filed a public interest litigation (PIL), advocating for the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an independent inquiry into the riots.
The legal representative of the petitioner argued for the necessity of such a team, particularly in cases where the process of filing charge sheets has yet to commence.
“The SIT should be ordered at least in those cases where the stage of filing of charge sheet has not even come till now,”
-stated the lawyer.
During the court’s interaction with the police, insights into the ongoing investigations were revealed. With a sense of urgency,
The bench inquired-
“How much longer will it take? This occurred in 2020, and we are now in 2024.”
This dialogue emphasizes the increasing impatience and insistence on resolution, mirroring the broader societal demand for justice and answerability. As per the court’s findings, out of the 757 reported cases, 62 have been transferred to the crime branch, 367 have been charged, 250 are awaiting trial, and 273 are still under investigation.
The petitioner’s initial plea in March 2020 also included requests for the preservation of CCTV footage of the riots, indicating a proactive approach to evidence collection and accountability. Moreover, the PIL brought attention to the alleged reluctance of the police to file FIRs against named individuals accused of instigating the riots, suggesting a possible bias in the investigation process.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to reconsider this matter on April 29th.
