New Delhi (Agency):In a recent turn of events regarding the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, a court in Delhi charged six men with theft and rioting in one case, and dismissed the accusations of arson in another case.
Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala was managing the proceedings of the cases filed against the six men – Rajendar Jha, Tejveer Chaudhary, Rajesh Jha, Govind Singh Manral, Peetamber Jha, and Devendar Kumar.
In one case, the court, taking into account the statements of four witnesses, stated, “The facts mentioned … show that all accused persons were part of the riotous mob, which indulged into riot being armed with deadly weapons in that area.” The court reported that the accused individuals damaged multiple salons in the Dayalpur area, set a shop on fire, and stole goods from another store.
“I find that a ‘prima facie’ case … is made out, against all accused persons. All the accused persons are liable to be tried accordingly,” Judge Pramachala announced in the orders issued on Monday.
The court revealed that the defendants would face trial under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These included sections 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 379 (theft), 427 (committing mischief), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house etc). They were also liable to be tried under sections 450 (house-trespass), 453 (lurking for house-trespass or house-breaking), 149 (unlawful assembly), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC.
In another case, the court highlighted that the same six men were accused of being part of a violent mob that damaged a dance academy, a beauty parlour, and a salon in Block C of Dayalpur.
However, the court discharged them from the offense of arson. It stated that the allegation did not hold up under the provided evidence. “The evidence on the record does show a ‘prima facie’ case of rioting, loot, and vandalism in the premises of three complainants, but, at the same time, I do not find any evidence of setting any immovable property on fire,” the court stated.
Therefore, while the six men are still liable for trial for offences under IPC sections 148, 427, 435, 149, and 188 in relation to the riots, they are not to be held accountable for the arson charges in one of the incidents. The court proceedings will continue as the accused face their respective charges.
