Delhi police on riots investigation: Those raising questions can go to court

The Delhi Police has released a statement saying that those raising questions can take it up in the court of law.

The Delhi Police has released a statement on the investigation of the February riots after those named in the chargesheet accused them of working under 'pressure from Centre'.

"Various interest groups are using social media platforms and other online portals to raise questions about the fairness of investigation of the North East Delhi riot cases. It is alleged that anti-CAA protestors, including social activists, academicians and students are being framed in false cases. Some are taking a few lines out of the chargesheets filed in the courts out of context in order to create a controversy and doubt the investigation. Their assertion is not true and instead, motivated," said the statement.

Delhi Police named Yogendra Yadav and Sitaram Yechury among other prominent people in its disclosure of chargesheet in the February Delhi riots case. Apart from the CPI(M) general secretary and Swaraj Abhiyan leader, the Delhi Police has also named economist Jayati Ghosh, Delhi University professor and activist Apoorvanand, and documentary filmmaker Rahul Roy.

The statement by Delhi Police comes after CPI (M) general-secretary Sitaram Yechury, who has been named as one of the co-conspirators in the Delhi riots case on Saturday, attacked Delhi Police saying that its 'illegal actions are a direct outcome of politics of BJP's top leadership'.

Mentioning that the "Delhi Police is under the Centre and the home ministry", Sitaram Yechury tweeted: "Its illegitimate, illegal actions are a direct outcome of the politics of BJP's top leadership. They are scared of legitimate peaceful protests by mainstream political parties and are misusing state power to target the Opposition."

The Delhi Police statement further said that those questioning the investigation can take it up in the court of law.

"It is worth mentioning that it is for the Police to conduct investigation and submit its report to the Court to take cognisance in the matter for trial. Those raising questions may instead take it up in the court of law at the appropriate time as per established judicial process. Delhi Police does not consider it appropriate and necessary to reply to them at this stage as the matter is sub-judice," it said.

It added, "Delhi Police is investigating into the role of all such individuals who took part in the riots and were part of the larger conspiracy in organizing violence in Northeast Delhi and inciting communal passion and hatred amongst communities,".

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The statement further said that Delhi Police has registered 751 FIRs in connection with Communal riots that took place in the last week of February 2020. "As far as the investigation is concerned, Delhi Police has meticulously carried out investigation in the most professional manner. After collecting and collating all evidence, the investigation has been finalised in most of the important cases and the charge sheets have been submitted in the court for trial," said the statement.

Delhi Police informed that the riots caused widespread violence and loss of 53 lives and injuries to over 581 persons. It also caused large scale damage to both private and public properties. In their attempt to prevent violence, 108 police personnel received injuries and two succumbed to the injuries. So far, police have arrested 1,575 persons in the 751 cases. Over 250 charge-sheets have been filed in the riots related cases in which 1153 accused (571 Hindus & 582 Muslims) have been charge-sheeted. All these cases are pending before the special courts constituted for the trial.