[Delhi Riots] 'Clear-Cut Case Of Acquittal': Delhi Court Frees Man Accused Of Rioting, Unlawful Assembly, Dacoity

Delivering the first judgment in the Delhi riots case, a Delhi Court on Tuesday acquitted a man namely Suresh of all charges levelled against him involving rioting, dacoity and being a part of an unlawful assembly which had allegedly attacked and looted a shop during the North East Delhi riots that erupted in the national capital last year.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat pronounced the verdict after reserving the order in April.

"Accused is acquitted of all the charges against him. Its a clear cut case of acquittal," the Judge said.

"Testimonies of witnesses are completely contradictory to each other, including police witnesses," the Judge added.

Suresh was represented by Advocate Rajiv Pratap Singh along with Advocates Akshay Sagar, Himanshu Kumar, Hitesh Pandey and Ashish Prajapati.

FIR 102/2020 was registered on the basis of a written complaint by one Asif, tenant of the shop, stating that on February 25 last year, a huge crowd of people carrying iron rods and lathi came at his shop and looted the shop.

The statement of shop's owner was also recorded in the matter which stated that there were certain people who were inciting others to damage and loot the said shop because it was owned by a Muslim.

Analysing the facts of the case, the Court had vide order dated 9th March, 2021 framed charges against Suresh after observing thus:

"Thus, on the basis of material on record, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the accused namely Suresh @ Bhatura has committed offences under Section 143, 147, 427, 454, IPC read with Section149 IPC & Section 395 IPC."  

Title: State v. Suresh @ Bhatura