3 August 2024: Delhi’s Karkardooma Court has acquitted six individuals accused in a high-profile case related to the 2020 Delhi riots, reported the Hindustan Times. The men, Hashim Ali, Abu Bakar, Mohammad Aziz, Rashid Ali, Najmuddin alias Bhola, and Mohammad Danish, faced charges of rioting, theft, vandalism, and arson under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These charges were based on FIR No. 72/20 filed at Karawal Nagar police station.
The defence, led by advocates from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and guided by its president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, successfully argued that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the alleged crimes. Advocates Saleem Malik and Shameem Akhtar represented the accused, highlighting that the prosecution’s evidence, including CCTV footage and call records, failed to conclusively prove the involvement of the accused.
The prosecution alleged that the accused were part of a mob that destroyed the property of complainant Shri Naresh Chand during the riots. However, the court found that no witness could clearly identify the accused from the CCTV footage. The judge criticized the lack of scientific examination to confirm the accused’s presence in the footage and ruled that the evidence was insufficient to prove their involvement, leading to their acquittal.
Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, emphasizing the failure of investigative agencies to deliver justice and identify the true culprits of the Delhi riots. He underscored the need for a more thorough investigation to uncover the real perpetrators and prevent future incidents.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is currently handling over 250 cases related to the Delhi riots, with Advocate Niaz Ahmed Farooqui overseeing the legal aspects and General Secretary Maulana Muhammad Hakimuddin Qasmi managing the rehabilitation efforts for the victims.
