2020 Delhi communal violence: Court rips Delhi police ‘befooling the court’ and double standard

New Delhi: The Delhi sessions court, which is hearing the 2020 Delhi communal violence case, criticized the Delhi police for their cleverness in fabricating evidence and their alleged 'double standards' in handling cases involving individuals belonging to the Muslim community.

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala in recent hearings reprimanded the force for its questionable conduct and disparities in maintaining standards.

The judge's stern comments come in the wake of two recent orders that shed light on the police's alleged manipulation of evidence and inconsistent investigation practices.

In one case, involving the arson of a residence owned by Saheen Saifi, the police claimed that a crucial video essential for establishing the case was pending receipt from the forensic department. However, it was later discovered that no such video existed, leading the judge to remark that the public prosecutor had been "befooling the court."

The judge lamented that due to the absence of this purported video, the progress of the case had been hindered, highlighting the misleading nature of the police's statements.

In another instance, the judge criticized the police for adopting a "double standard" approach in preparing a site plan for only three out of six cases that were linked due to their close proximity in terms of time and location.

This inconsistency in investigation procedures prompted the judge to question the justification behind such disparate treatment. As a result, the judge directed the deputy commissioner of police to thoroughly evaluate the matter and furnish a comprehensive report.

The 2020 Delhi communal violence erupted between factions supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act in North East Delhi, leading to the loss of at least 53 lives and leaving hundreds injured, with a significant majority of the casualties being Muslims.