New Delhi, March 13 (HS). Delhi's Karkardooma Court has acquitted two accused in the 2020 riots in North-East Delhi. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachal said that the identity of the accused is under doubt, hence the accused are given the benefit of doubt.
The accused whom the court ordered acquittal include Abid Ali and Sheru alias Raja. The incident is of 23 February 2020. Complainant Inspector Rohitash Kumar had alleged that on February 23, 2020, when he had gone on duty at 66 Foot Road of Vijay Park Main Road under Bhajanpura police station along with other policemen and head constable Vikrant. Some people were pelting stones at around 6.30 pm. At 6.40 in the evening he saw that three boys were being beaten badly by the mob. Somehow all three boys were saved. Inspector Rohitash Kumar, head constable Vikrant and some policemen were injured in stone pelting. Due to on-site duty, all the policemen got their treatment and came back for duty. Based on the statement of Rohitash Kumar, on March 8, 2020, an FIR was registered against both the accused under sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 332, 333 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
On September 08, 2022, the court framed charges against both the accused on the police charge sheet under sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 332, 333 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. During the trial of this case, statements of eight policemen were recorded. The court observed that the witnesses, including two policemen who were injured in the stone pelting, failed to identify the accused. Complainant Rohitash and head constable Vikrant failed to identify the accused properly. In such a situation, the accused are given the benefit of doubt.
Let us tell you that at least 53 people were killed in the violence in February 2020, and around two hundred people were injured.