“Delhi Court Frames Charges Against 6 for Burning Shahbaz Alive in 2020 Riots”

A Delhi court has framed charges against six individuals for their alleged involvement in brutally assaulting and burning a man alive during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The accused, identified as Aman, Vikram, Rahul Sharma, Ravi Sharma, Dinesh Sharma, and Ranjeet Rana, were part of a mob that burned Shahbaz alive on February 25, 2020, on the Main Khajuri Pusta Road in Delhi.

The Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Pulastya Pramachal, in an order passed on Saturday, stated that all the accused individuals are liable to be charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including criminal conspiracy, rioting, murder, wrongful restraint, and dacoity.

The prosecution confirmed Shahbaz’s identity through DNA samples of his father, as only his skull and some pelvic bones were recovered. The judge also mentioned that the accused individuals would face trial for unlawful assembly, disobedience to orders promulgated by public servants, and promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, and language.

The judge emphasized that even grave suspicion is enough to prosecute the accused individuals at this stage, and the veracity of statements from public witnesses would be tested during the trial.

The court further stated that the accused individuals knowingly joined the mob and were active members of an unlawful assembly with the common objective of causing harm and damage to the Muslim community. The court also took into account an extra-judicial confession by accused Aman and the recovery of a wristwatch belonging to Shahbaz from Aman.

The framing of charges against the accused individuals marks a significant step in the legal proceedings related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. It is hoped that a fair and impartial trial will be conducted, providing justice to the victim and his family, and serving as a deterrent against such acts of violence in the future..