Northeast Delhi violence: Court raps police for mishandling riot complaints, acquits accused

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The Karkardooma Court in Delhi acquitted an accused while reprimanding the Delhi police for inappropriately grouping 19 complaints of Northeast Delhi violence into a single FIR. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the inadequate investigation of these complaints and instructed the Station House Officer (SHO) to initiate further inquiries, stated a report in ANI. This case is related to an FIR filed at the Karawal Nagar police station in 2020, initiated by a complainant named Shokeen.

In the judgment issued on October 31, 2023, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Pulastya Pramachala acquitted the accused, Sandeep Kumar, giving him the benefit of the doubt. The court observed that although the prosecution established incidents of rioting, vandalism, and looting at Shokeen's premises, it failed to conclusively prove the presence of the accused in the unlawful assembly responsible for these actions, the report added.

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According to the report, the court also noted that 19 additional complaints were incorrectly combined in the same FIR and had not been thoroughly investigated. ASJ Pramachala emphasized the need to review the case and properly address the concerns of these additional complainants.

The accused, Sandeep, faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, vandalism, theft, criminal intimidation, and more.

The prosecution was based on Shokeen's complaint, which alleged that a large crowd had attacked his house, vandalised and set fire to his shop and house on February 25, 2020. Shokeen further claimed that several articles and jewellery were stolen during the incident.

The court pointed out that the prosecution presented two eyewitnesses, Shokeen and HC Ashok Kumar. However, Shokeen's testimony indicated that he was not an eyewitness to the incident, as he had left his house at the time of the alleged attack.

HC Ashok Kumar, an official from the same police station, identified a photograph of the accused but was unable to provide specific details about the property being vandalised. The court noted the lack of comprehensive investigation into the various incidents mentioned in the case, except for examining the 19 additional complainants, the report stated.

ASJ Pramachala emphasized the need for a fair and separate examination of the complaints to ensure justice for all parties involved.