Legal Turmoil Looms as Delhi Riots Cases Dwindle Five Years On

Five years post the violent Delhi riots, an alarming 80% of related legal cases have ended in acquittals or discharges, with the judiciary criticizing police investigations as flawed. Victims and accused alike highlight pervasive injustice in a landscape marked by long waits for justice.

Five years have passed since the devastating religious riots in Delhi that left over 50 people dead, predominantly from the Muslim community, and yet there remains no sense of legal resolution for those affected. A detailed analysis conducted by BBC Hindi has revealed that more than 80% of the court decisions in 126 cases associated with the 2020 riots have culminated in acquittals or discharges.

The violence erupted in February 2020, triggered by a contentious citizenship amendment law, resulting in one of the worst communal clashes the city has witnessed in decades. Following the riots, the police lodged 758 cases, leading to over 2,000 arrests, including numerous student leaders and activists accused of being part of a "main conspiracy." The majority of these suspects remain incarcerated under stringent anti-terror laws without trial.

Reviewing the outcomes from the Karkardooma court in Delhi, BBC Hindi discovered a pattern of judicial criticism directed at the Delhi police for significant shortcomings in their investigations. Many cases showcased hostile witnesses or insufficient evidence, resulting in closures without formal trials. From the 62 murder-related cases filed, only one conviction emerged, underscoring the legal system's struggles to provide justice.

Key observations from the judiciary pointed out serious flaws in police testimony and procedures, which have left many in despair over the justice they seek. For instance, Shadab Alam—who spent a harrowing 80 days in jail—described the trauma of being wrongfully accused as chaos ensued. The court later highlighted the police's failure to pursue credible leads, raising doubts about their investigative integrity.

On another front, the acquittal of Sandip Bhati illustrated the consequences of alleged police manipulation of evidence. The court ruled that the prosecution had misrepresented video footage in a bid to frame him, calling for accountability from the Delhi police.

Despite these revelations of judicial malfunction, many detainees still await trial, such as Gulfisha Fatima and several activists charged with conspiracy. With the ongoing strain on their families and the justice system's effectiveness being called into question, experts advocate for a reflection on the accountability and integrity of law enforcement and prosecutorial practices in India.

In a somber reflection, former Supreme Court Justice Madan Lokur suggested that the law enforcement and prosecution bodies must reconsider their actions over the past five years. As these cases continue to unravel in court, the specter of lingering injustices reminds all of the urgent need for systemic changes in how communal violence cases are handled in India.