A Delhi court has acquitted nine people in a case related to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, citing inconsistencies in witness statements and lack of reliable evidence.
The verdict was delivered on March 30 by Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh, who observed that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on witness testimonies that contained “clear inconsistencies” regarding time, location, and identification of the accused.
Court flags contradictions, ‘false testimony’
In its ruling, the court noted that several witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the incident, including details about their presence at the scene.
The case involved allegations of an attack on an Innova Crysta vehicle and arson at a shop named ‘Royal Motors’ in the Chand Bagh area during the violence on February 24, 2020.
The judge also remarked that some testimonies appeared misleading, adding that certain witnesses may have given false statements. Based on these findings, the court granted the accused the benefit of the doubt and acquitted them of all charges.
Case linked to Dayalpur FIR during riots
The case was registered at Dayalpur Police Station in 2020 and was part of a series of incidents reported during the North-East Delhi riots.
The nine accused—Shah Alam, Rashid Saifi, Mohammad Shadab, Habib, Irfan, Suhail, Salim alias Ashu, Irshad, and Azhar alias Sonu—were all cleared of charges in the case.
Legal representation for some of the accused, including Irshad and Habib, was provided by advocates associated with the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.
Jamiat praises legal team, highlights ongoing efforts
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani welcomed the verdict and praised the legal efforts of the organisation’s lawyers.
*दिल्ली दंगे 2020: 9 लोग बाइज्जत बरी*
— Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (@JamiatUlama_in) April 4, 2026
*जमीयत उलेमा-ए-हिंद के अध्यक्ष मौलाना महमूद मदनी ने वकीलों की कानूनी जद्दोजहद की सराहना की*
*जमीयत की कोशिशों से अब तक 125 लोग बाइज्जत बरी हो चुके हैं*
नई दिल्ली, 3 अप्रैल 2025: उत्तर-पूर्वी दिल्ली दंगों 2020 से संबंधित एक महत्वपूर्ण मामले… pic.twitter.com/nR8XKlUtjT
The group said it is currently providing legal aid in 267 riot-related cases and has helped secure acquittals for 125 individuals so far.
The legal team is being supervised by Maulana Niyaz Ahmad Farooqui, while earlier relief and rehabilitation efforts were overseen by Maulana Mohammad Hakimuddin Kasmi.
Commitment to legal support continues
Reacting to the judgment, Madani said the organisation would continue its legal work to ensure justice.
“Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind will continue its services for the supremacy of justice,” he said.
The verdict adds to a series of ongoing legal developments in cases linked to the 2020 Delhi riots, with courts continuing to examine evidence and testimonies in multiple trials.
