Calling for action by the Dehi Police commissioner, the court also noted that there had been an “egregious padding of evidence” by the case’s investigating officer (Archive)Acquitting six men accused of arson near Azizia Masjid at Gamri Extension during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, a court on Monday pulled up the Delhi Police for “trampling” on the rights of the accused. Calling for action by the Dehi Police commissioner, the court also noted that there had been an “egregious padding of evidence” by the case’s investigating officer (IO).Additional sessions judge Parveen Singh acquitted the six men – Ishu Gupta, Prem Prakash, Raj Kumar, Manish Sharma, Rahul and Amit – accused of being a part of a mob which was allegedly involved in rioting and arson on February 25, 2020.“I must observe that there has been an egregious padding of evidence by the IO and this has resulted in serious trampling of the rights of the accused, who have been probably chargesheeted only in order to show that this case is worked out,” Judge Singh of Karkardooma court said.“This is more saddening because despite the glaring defects, supervising officers, i.e. SHO and ACP, had forwarded the chargesheet in a mechanical manner. Such instances lead to serious erosion of the faith of the people in the investigating process and the rule of law and therefore, I deem it appropriate that the copy of this judgment be sent to worthy Commissioner of Police for his perusal, with a request to take remedial action,” he added.The court noted that after looking at the case diary, it seemed as though the IO had cooked up the case and “foisted” it upon the accused. “…it is apparent that merely in order to work out a case, a false case has been foisted upon the accused and PW 10 HC (witness 10 head constable) Vikas, the only eyewitness of the case, is completely unreliable qua these accused persons. All the accused are entitled to be acquitted of all the charges,” the judge said, adding that the investigation was “shoddy”.The court said that five of the six accused, who had allegedly disclosed their involvement in the case of arson, had already been arrested in another 2020 Northeast Delhi riots case.“…when the accused were already in custody, why the process of identification of accused through photographs was conducted instead of having their judicial TIP (test identification parade) conducted,” the judge said, adding that the entire case was “falling apart”.Story continues below this ad“What is more surprising is that it records that ASI Karan Singh was present at the site. If that be the case, then it completely contradicts the claim of ASI Karan Singh that when he reached the place of incident, he found that the houses near about the mosque and a scooty were still burning,” the judge said.”Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Northeast Delhi riots