Delhi Riots 2020: Nine Murder Cases Reach Final Trial Stages
In a significant development regarding the 2020 Northeast Delhi communal clashes, Delhi Police announced on Tuesday that trials in nine of the 53 murder cases registered in connection with the violence have reached their final stages. This indicates that several serious prosecutions stemming from the deadly riots are approaching judicial closure.
Progress in Murder Case Trials
Of the nine murder cases that are in their concluding phase before courts, four have reached the critical stage of recording statements of the accused. The remaining five cases have progressed to the stage of final arguments, where both prosecution and defense present their concluding submissions to the court.
Apart from these 53 murder cases, the crime branch is separately investigating 12 cases considered particularly sensitive due to their nature or implications.
Additional Cases in Final Trial Stages
In addition to the murder cases, 11 other cases being probed by the Northeast district police have also entered the final stages of trial. Among these, two cases are on the verge of judgment and are expected to see verdicts announced soon.
Seven of these cases are currently at the stage where statements of the accused are being recorded, while two have advanced to the phase of final arguments.
Comprehensive Overview of Riots Cases
The communal clashes that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020 resulted in at least 53 fatalities and 581 injuries. Among those injured were 108 police personnel deployed to control the situation and restore order during the violent outbreak.
Police data reveals that 242 cases related to the riots are currently under trial in various courts across Delhi. Of these, 212 cases are being handled by the Northeast district police, while 29 are under the jurisdiction of the crime branch. One additional case remains under investigation by the special cell.
Case Dispositions and Investigation Statistics
Official figures show that 16 riot-related cases have resulted in discharge orders from the courts. Proceedings in two cases have abated following the death of the accused, while one case has been formally quashed by judicial authorities.
Overall, 758 cases were registered in connection with the 2020 riots, of which 692 were thoroughly investigated by police authorities. Investigating agencies filed 416 chargesheets against accused individuals.
Of these chargesheets, 46 were filed by the crime branch and 369 by local police units, while one pertains specifically to the special cell's investigation.
Arrest Statistics
In total, 2,639 individuals were arrested in connection with the Northeast Delhi riots. The breakdown of these arrests shows that 2,189 were made by local police units, 429 by the crime branch, and 21 by the special cell.
The progression of these cases through the judicial system represents a significant step toward accountability and closure for the victims and communities affected by the 2020 violence.
