Delhi Riots: Court Acquits Sole Accused In Dilbar Negi Murder Case, Says No Substantive Evidence

A Delhi Court has recently acquitted a man in a 2020 North-East Delhi riots case alleging that a mob caused vandalism, put on fire a sweet shop as a consequence of which a 22 year old boy namely Dilbar Negi died after after sustaining burn injuries. (FIR 39/2020 PS Gokulpuri)

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala acquitted one Mohd. Shahnawaz for want of any substantive evidence against him showing that he entered the godown, where the dead body was found, along with other rioters.

“In view of my foregoing discussions, observations and findings, I find that charges levelled against accused Mohd. Shahnawaz @ Shanu in this case, is not proved beyond reasonable doubts. Hence, accused Mohd. Shahnawaz @ Shanu is given benefit of doubt and he is acquitted of all the charges levelled against him in this case,” the Court said.

In October 2023, the judge had discharged 11 men in the case but framed charges against Mohd. Shahnawaz only.

The Court noted that the name of Mohd. Shahnawaz was nowhere mentioned before police by any of these witnesses immediately after the incident, nor it was so mentioned in the FIR.

“Thus, for want of any substantive evidence to show that accused Shahnawaz had entered this Godown along with other rioters at about 9 PM, afore-said kind of evidence in the form of admission to suggestion being given by Prosecutor, cannot be basis to presume guilt of accused Shahnawaz,” the Court said.

Negi used to work as a waiter in Anil sweet corner. The FIR was registered under Section 147 (Punishment for rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (Unlawful assembly), 302 (Murder), 201 (Causing disappearance of evidence), 436 (Mischief by fire) and 427 (Mischief causing damage) of IPC at police station Gokalpuri.

After the registration of FIR, the investigation of the case was taken up by the local police. Further investigation of the case was transferred to the SIT of Crime Branch.

During the course of investigation, twelve accused persons were arrested in the case. After investigation, charge sheet was filed on June 4, 2020.

According to the statements of public witnesses, it was stated that a riot took place where the rioters pelted stones, chanted anti Hindu slogans, ransacked and torched many shop and houses and also entered into a building and killed the deceased, who was hiding there and burnt his body along with the building.

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