Delhi Court Orders Charges Against 25 in 2020 Northeast Riots, Including Murder and Arson

A Delhi court has ordered the framing of serious charges, including murder, arson, and dacoity, against 25 individuals in connection with the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The case pertains to the fatal assault on a police team on February 24, 2020, which resulted in the death of Head Constable Ratan Lal. The court, led by Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala, dismissed claims that the accused were merely exercising their constitutional rights to protest, emphasizing that violence, murder, and property damage cannot be justified under any circumstances. The court’s ruling comes after a thorough review of the incident, during which a mob attacked the police team while they attempted to disperse protesters blocking a key road in Chand Bagh.

The attack led to the death of HC Ratan Lal, who was injured by gunfire and multiple other wounds while shielding his colleagues. Along with Lal, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) were also severely injured, with over 50 other police officers hurt. The court noted that the protesters had come prepared with weapons, indicating that the violence was not spontaneous but part of a pre-planned attempt to escalate tensions. The court cited evidence of a conspiracy among organizers, some of whom had incited the crowd to attack police and engage in acts of vandalism, arson, and loot. It also pointed out that the use of women and children to throw stones at police was a deliberate strategy.

The court ordered the framing of charges against 11 organizers and speakers involved in the protest, including Mohammed Salim Khan, Saleem Malik, and Mohammed Jalaluddin, among others, for criminal conspiracy. In addition, 14 other individuals were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for their roles in rioting, attacking the police, and committing violence, including murder and attempt to murder. The charges also included mischief by fire, grievous harm to public servants, and unlawful assembly. The court's decision follows months of investigation into the riots, which led to over 50 deaths and more than 200 injuries, marking one of the most violent outbreaks of unrest in Delhi in recent years.

The court rejected a defense argument that accused Saleem Malik, who was already facing prosecution in a separate larger conspiracy case, should be exempted from charges in this case. However, two other accused, Mohammed Wasim and Sahid alias Shahbaz, were discharged due to insufficient evidence linking them directly to the violence. The case has been adjourned to December 3 for formal framing of the charges. The northeast Delhi riots, which took place from February 24 to February 26, 2020, were fueled by tensions surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and were marked by violent clashes between supporters and opponents of the law.