New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted 12 men accused in the abduction and killing of a Muslim man during the 2020 northeast Delhi violence. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh delivered the verdict. The accused included Lokesh Solanki, Pankaj Sharma, Sumit Chaudhary, Ankit Chaudhary, Prince, Rishabh Chaudhary, Jatin Sharma, Vivek Panchal, Himanshu Thakur, Sahil, Sandeep, and Tinku Arora. They faced charges linked to the death of Musharraf.
Musharraf’s body was found in a drain in Bhagirathi Vihar on February 27, 2020. The prosecution alleged that a mob of 150 to 200 people attacked his home on February 25, dragged him out, assaulted him, and disposed of his body.
The court found gaps in the evidence. It stated that eyewitness accounts from the victim’s wife and daughter contained serious inconsistencies. The judge observed contradictions in the sequence of events. These issues weakened the reliability of their statements.
The court also raised concerns about the conduct of the victim’s wife. It noted that she did not contact police or inform relatives for nearly two days after the alleged incident.
Call detail records placed the accused near their homes. The court said this did not prove involvement in the crime. It added that presence in the area alone holds limited value without supporting evidence.
The court also reviewed WhatsApp chats linked to one accused. It noted that he had already faced conviction in a separate case based on the same material.
The court acquitted all accused of charges including murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and destruction of evidence.
