New Delhi: The 2020 Delhi riots remain one of the darkest chapters in the capital’s recent history—a communal clash where both Hindus and Muslims lost their lives, but humanity itself was the real victim. More than three years on, the focus has shifted from the violence itself to the way investigations were carried out by Delhi Police.
According to official data, 695 cases were registered in connection with the riots, out of which 116 cases have been decided so far. The courts have acquitted 97 accused persons, citing lack of evidence, while convictions were secured in only 19 cases. Significantly, in at least 17 cases, courts noted that Delhi Police had attempted to implicate innocent people using fabricated witnesses and manipulated evidence.
Judicial observations reveal that in several instances, the police pressured witnesses, altered statements, or presented exaggerated evidence. In some cases, courts remarked that the investigation appeared more focused on “closing cases” rather than ensuring justice. One judge even flagged tampering of case records, further eroding confidence in the fairness of the probe.
For example, while acquitting six accused in a case registered at New Usmanpur police station, an Additional Sessions Judge sharply criticized the investigating officer, stating that evidence was grossly exaggerated, leading to the violation of the accused persons’ rights. The court underlined that such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement and due process.
The acquittals linked to fabricated evidence were spread across multiple police jurisdictions: five cases in Dayalpur, four each in Khajuri Khas and Gokulpuri, and one case each in Jyoti Nagar, Bhajanpura, Jafrabad, and New Usmanpur.
The riots, which broke out in February 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claimed 53 lives and left over 700 people injured. While the communal violence scarred Delhi’s image globally, the subsequent revelations about the police investigation have raised further questions about accountability and justice.
As the legal battles continue, these cases highlight a troubling pattern—where investigative lapses, fabricated testimonies, and procedural violations have cast doubt on the very institutions meant to uphold law and order.
