Four men accused of murdering two individuals during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots have been acquitted by a local court due to a lack of evidence linking them to the crimes. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala presided over two cases involving Ashok, Ajay, Subham, and Jitender Kumar, who were accused of killing Ashfaq Hussain and Zakir in Brijpuri on February 25, 2020, amid the communal unrest.
The court said that the prosecution failed to establish the accused’s involvement in the killings.
“There is no evidence to even establish any of the accused being part of rioters at the given place and time,” the court said.
Despite some circumstantial evidence, including call detail records (CDR), recovery of weapons, and clothing allegedly belonging to the accused, the court found it insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Although the prosecution presented some circumstantial evidence, such as call detail records (CDR) and the recovery of weapons and clothing allegedly belonging to the accused, the court deemed it insufficient to establish the accused’s presence among the rioters or their involvement in the killings. The prosecution’s failure to conduct forensic examinations on the recovered items and the absence of CCTV footage showing the accused among the rioters further weakened the case.
The court acquitted all the accused individuals of the charges against them, highlighting the prosecution’s inability to prove their involvement in the murders. The cases were initially registered against the accused at the Dayalpur police station.