Four years after the 2020 northeast Delhi riots

Police sources disclosed that apart from the 695 cases, 62 other riot cases were transferred to the Crime Branch, bringing the total to 757. Of these, charges were framed in 39 cases, leading to the arrest of 424 individuals. Presently, one conviction stands, with 331 individuals out on bail and 52 still in custody.Four years have passed since the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, and verdicts have been delivered in 88 out of the 695 cases of rioting, arson, and unlawful assembly filed by the district police. An analysis by The Indian Express of 85 judgments reveals that 68 resulted in acquittals (80%) and 16 in convictions (20%). Interestingly, the acquittals are evenly split between the two communities, as per available records.

According to police sources, out of the 695 cases, charge sheets have been filed in 367 (53%) cases, while 14 cases were discharged due to lack of prima facie evidence during the charging stage. Additionally, four cases were quashed, and five were closed following the filing of closure reports.

In terms of convictions and acquittals, 47 individuals were convicted, while 183 were acquitted out of the 695 cases. Presently, 1,738 individuals are out on bail, while 108 remain incarcerated. Furthermore, 50 cases have been discharged.

The examination of the 68 acquittals by The Indian Express yielded several insights:

In 18 cases, courts noted delays in police identification of the accused, leading to doubts about testimonies due to missing police station records.
Contradictions in statements of police witnesses or officers were observed in 16 acquittals.
In 13 cases, police witnesses failed to substantiate claims of pre-existing acquaintance with the accused before the riots.
Seven acquittals were influenced by witnesses claiming memory loss or illness hindering identification.
In one instance, lack of substantive public witness testimony was noted.
Doubts arose in another case regarding the presence of police witnesses during the incident.
Failure to test video evidence for tampering and missing forensic reports led to acquittal in one case.
Suspicions of witness tutoring by investigating officers surfaced in another case.
A case of double jeopardy was identified in one acquittal.
Discrepancies in witness testimonies regarding the location of the accused were observed in one case.
Generalized police depositions were highlighted in four acquittals.
Among the 68 acquittals, 45 involved witnesses turning hostile, while in three cases, the police were unable to locate eyewitnesses. Additionally, while many cases indicated instances of rioting or unlawful assembly, witnesses often failed to identify the accused.

Despite attempts to reach out for comments, the Delhi Police remained unresponsive.

Police sources disclosed that apart from the 695 cases, 62 other riot cases were transferred to the Crime Branch, bringing the total to 757. Of these, charges were framed in 39 cases, leading to the arrest of 424 individuals. Presently, one conviction stands, with 331 individuals out on bail and 52 still in custody.