Delhi’s Karkardooma court framed charges against six Hindu men for setting a Muslim youth, Shahbaz, on fire, leading to his death during the anti-Muslim pogrom in north-east Delhi in 2020.
The court on Saturday maintained that the act was pre-planned to take revenge against Muslims.
The charges against Aman, Vikram, Rahul Sharma, Ravi Sharma, Dinesh Sharma and Ranjeet Rana were framed by Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala for the offences of murder, rioting, attacking a particular community, dacoity, and criminal conspiracy.
Shahbaz was burnt alive on February 25, 2020. The body of the deceased was discovered by a Sub-Inspector after Shahbaz’s friend lodged a complaint that he was missing with the Khajuri Khas Police Station. The family of the deceased informed the police that Shahbaz had gone to buy medicines for his eyes and was stuck in the anti-Muslim riot.
“…… the sole aim of the mob of taking revenge from Muslim community,” the court said.
The court said that, from the statement of a witness, it was on record that the accused persons were actively part of the mob, which had earlier gathered on February 24, 2020 and planned to riot the following day.
“Accused persons joined this mob being aware of the planning. They had also done so by being an active member of an unlawful assembly having its common object of causing harm and damage to the person and property of Muslim community, violating the provisions of Section 144 CrPC, promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, causing the killing of the present victim, i.e., deceased Shahbaz,” read the court order.
