Thursday, March 28, 2024

Delhi pogrom: Trial pending in over 50% cases, Delhi Police tells HC

In 2020 February, India’s Delhi witnessed its worst anti-Muslim violence in more than 30 years. Photo: Shaheen Abdulla/Maktoob

More than two years after anti-Muslim pogrom broke out in the national capital following the anti-CAA protests, Delhi Police has said that out of the total 541 FIRs registered in connection with the incidents, only eight have been decided in the courts and trial is pending in 51 percent of the cases.

The city police has submitted the list of cases along with a counter-affidavit before Delhi High Court in response to a public interest litigation seeking recovery of damages from the persons who allegedly indulged in destruction of public property during the violence, Live Law reported.

The police report reveals that while trial is pending in 276 cases, probe is yet to be completed in 213 cases.

23 FIRs were registered in 2020 against those accused of damaging public properties including masjids, CCTV cameras, police booths and barricades while 518 FIRs were registered against the damage caused to private properties such as shops, houses and personal vehicles.

While eight cases have been decided finally, accused are untraced in as many as 36 FIRs, said the status report. Four cases have been quashed.

In 2020 February, India’s Delhi witnessed its worst anti-Muslim violence in more than 30 years.

The pogrom was triggered after Hindu right-wing groups attacked sit-in protesters demonstrating against CAA.

The ruling BJP leaders and their supporters called the anti-CAA protesters anti-nationals and warned them to stop the sit-ins in Southeast and Northeast Delhi – areas with significant Muslim populations.

According to official records, 53 people were killed, most of them Muslims, hundreds were injured, shops and homes were destroyed, and thousands of people were displaced.

Nearly 2,000 people were arrested in the wake of the anti-Muslim violence, but just one person has been convicted so far. Many rights groups have accused Delhi Police of arresting students and Muslim activists behind the anti-CAA protests on politically motivated charges instead of carrying out proper investigations.

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