On August 19, a Delhi court discharged three men who were accused under criminal charges in a case related to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The court was hearing the case of State v. Akil Ahmad & Ors where the three men were facing charges of rioting, criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and vandalism. While pronouncing the order of discharge, the court also pulled up the Delhi Police and expressed suspicion that the investigating officer in the case “manipulated evidence” and filed charge sheets in a “predetermined, mechanical and erroneous manner”. As per the order, the court found the existence of inconsistencies in the charge sheets and subsequent statements, suggesting an attempt to cover up flaws in the prosecution’s case. The court also pointed out that the investigating officer failed to present any evidence demonstrating the accuracy of these subsequent statements.

Source: The Hindu August 19, 2023 09:30 UTC