Delhi: A series of recent verdicts has revealed serious lapses in the investigation of the 2020 Delhi riots. Courts have acquitted accused persons in at least 17 cases after finding fabricated evidence, fictitious witnesses, and manipulated case records.
A review of 93 acquittal orders showed that nearly one in five included judicial criticism of the Delhi Police. Out of 116 riot-related cases decided so far, 97 have ended in acquittals. Judges in at least 12 cases determined that the police relied on artificial witnesses or presented evidence that appeared fabricated. In two cases, witnesses testified that police officials dictated their statements.
The riots in 2020, which broke out during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. Courts noted systemic failures in several trials, including the absence of Test Identification Parades and inconsistencies in case diaries. Some judgments pointed out false claims by police constables and highlighted weaknesses in the prosecution’s approach.
These judicial findings have raised questions about the credibility of investigations into one of Delhi’s worst communal violence incidents in recent years. The repeated criticism indicates a pattern of misconduct that undermined due process and eroded trust in the system.
The acquittals highlight the need for stronger accountability in law enforcement and more rigorous standards in criminal investigations. The courts have sent a clear message that compromised evidence and unreliable testimony cannot form the basis for convictions.
