New Delhi, Feb 26: A Delhi court has acquitted Mohammad Shahnawaz alias Shanu, who was accused in a murder case linked to the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi. The case, heard by Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala, was registered by the Gokalpuri police station.
The prosecution had alleged that Shahnawaz played an active role in the riots and was responsible for setting a warehouse in Chaman Park on fire using petrol bombs. The incident led to the death of Dilbar Negi, whose half-charred body was recovered from the site on February 26, 2020.
However, in its verdict dated February 24, the court highlighted inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. A key eyewitness denied witnessing the incident, while another crucial witness gave a "shaky" and uncertain deposition regarding Shahnawaz’s identity.
Additionally, the warehouse owner and his family did not mention Shahnawaz’s name when reporting the incident to the police. The court noted that although the First Information Report (FIR) was registered on February 28, 2020, the prosecution's witness (the warehouse owner) did not disclose Shahnawaz’s name before the FIR registration, despite allegedly knowing it since February 24.
"The prosecution failed to establish that the accused entered the warehouse along with rioters at 9 PM and that it was set on fire by them," the court observed, adding that the witness identifications did not inspire confidence.
Due to the prosecution's inability to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, the court granted Shahnawaz the benefit of the doubt and acquitted him.
