Delhi Court Acquits Three Accused in 2020 Riots Mosque Vandalism Case, Criticises Police Investigation

India: A Delhi court has acquitted three men accused of vandalising and setting fire to Jannati Masjid in the Gokalpuri area during the communal violence that rocked North East Delhi in February 2020.

Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh of the Karkardooma Courts cleared Deepak, Prince, and Shiv of all charges, including rioting, theft, mischief, and arson targeting a place of worship under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The case, registered under FIR 50/2020 at Gokalpuri police station, alleged that a mob armed with sticks and inflammable substances vandalised the mosque, looted cash and articles, and damaged nearby properties amid the riots that claimed 53 lives and injured hundreds.

In his ruling, Judge Singh expressed strong disapproval of the Delhi Police probe, stating he was “pained” by the manner in which the investigation was conducted. The court noted that the accused were arrested and charge-sheeted primarily on the basis of “inadmissible” electronic evidence, with no concrete proof linking them to the crime until much later.

“The accused were arrested on the basis of an inadmissible evidence,” the judge observed, highlighting delays in eyewitness testimonies and reliance on unreliable material.

This acquittal adds to a growing list of similar outcomes in cases stemming from the 2020 riots. Courts have repeatedly flagged investigative lapses, contradictory statements, and insufficient evidence by the Delhi Police, resulting in over 80% acquittals in decided riot-related cases involving rioting, arson, and unlawful assembly.

Legal experts say such judgments underscore the challenges in prosecuting communal violence cases, where evidence collection is often hampered by chaos on the ground.

The Delhi Police have not yet commented on whether they plan to appeal the verdict.