"Marked Improvement In Last Few Months": Court Appreciates Coordination Between Police & Prosecution In Investigating Delhi Riots Cases

A Delhi Court has appreciated the coordination between the Delhi Police officials as well as the prosecution in investigating the cases concerning the North East Delhi riots, remarking that there has been a marked improvement in the last few months.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat lauded the effective supervision of concerned DCP and said:

"I must state that investigation in the riots cases have been, in some cases good and in some cases, not good but over the last few months, under the effective supervision of worthy DCP Sh. Sanjay Kumar Sain, the coordination between the police officials and prosecution and in ensuring the presence of the police officials and diligence in filings reports and supplementary charge-sheets by SHO Rajeev Bhardwaj have seen marked improvement."

The Court's remarks came while framing charges against five accused namely Gulfam, Shanu, Atir, Osama and Zarif.

All five accused were charged under Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 427 (mischief), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 after which they had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

"Put up for PE on 15.01.2022. Witnesses mentioned at serial no.1 to 4, in the list of witnesses be summoned for 15.01.2022. I.O along with MHC(M) and the SHO concerned shall be present on the next date," the Court ordered.

The remarks assume significance as the Police as well as the prosecution has been pulled up by the Court in the past, on varied aspects including lack of coordination, failure in doing effective investigation, presence of officials in the Courts, etc.

Case Title: State v. Zarif @ Mota & Ors.