Delhi court acquits Akil, Rahees, Irshad in 2020 riots case, raps police for “callous” probe
New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted Akil Ahmed alias Papad, Rahees Khan, and Irshad, who were accused of arson and conspiracy in the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots, after finding serious lapses in the police investigation and contradictions in witness accounts.
Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh, delivering a 40-page order on August 14, said the prosecution had “failed to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts” due to “serious doubts about the credibility of witnesses, probable manipulation of the case diary and callous manner of investigation.”
The case, registered at Dayalpur police station, alleged that the three men were part of a mob that torched vehicles and damaged property on February 25, 2020. The court noted that despite being from the same police station, witnesses did not inform the investigating officer about the accused, even though they allegedly knew their names. It also flagged the incomplete probe into the burning of a Hero Honda showroom, which was the incident that led to the FIR.
The acquittal adds to a series of similar cases where courts have criticised Delhi Police for shoddy handling of riot-related investigations. The 2020 violence left more than 50 people dead and hundreds injured.
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MP: 12 labourers killed, 20 injured as pick-up van overturns and crashes into SUV
Dhar (MP) (PTI): Twelve labourers were killed and 20 others injured when the pick-up van carrying them overturned and collided with an SUV in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday night, an official said.
The incident occurred at 8:30-9 PM. According to preliminary information, 35 labourers were returning home in a pickup van from Baggad in Dhar district when the driver lost control of the vehicle near Chikliya crossing. The vehicle overturned and collided with an SUV coming from the opposite direction.
"Twelve people died on the spot, while approximately 20 others were injured," said Dhar district's in-charge collector, Abhishek Choudhary.
The seriously injured persons were referred to Indore after initial treatment, he said.
Choudhary, DIG Mayank Awasthi, and police personnel rushed to the spot.
Tirla police have registered a case and are investigating the accident.
