December 21, 2024

Jamia Millia Arrests: Delhi Police's Inefficiency Laid Bare In Court

By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2023-02-06 06:16:56

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11 accused in the case of violence during the CAA protests near the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University have been held not guilty as charged due to lack of evidence. Most of the accused were students of the university and were picked up by the Delhi police after the violence. The court has categorically stated that the prosecution failed to present any evidence of wrongdoing on their part. It also said that the prosecution failed to prove a larger conspiracy as it presented no evidence of the 11 accused having acted in concert and as part of a pre-decided plan.

This reflects poorly on the investigating capabilities of Delhi police. Were the accused picked up as they happened to be on the spot? Did the Delhi police go after them just to save face? Most importantly, if the 11 accused are not guilty (and it has been proved in court as there was no evidence against them), where are the real culprits who stoked the fires and started the violence? The court categorically said that the police had failed to catch the 'actual perpetrators' and made 'scapegoats' of the accused. After the violence, Delhi police had said that many PFI members had hidden in the area and instigated the riots. Why has it been unable to arrest them?

These are serious charges against the Delhi police. It must now probe how the investigating officers dealt with the matter and how they decided that the 11 accused were the main culprits. It must also seriously reflect whether it is necessary to charge all arrested persons as being part of a conspiracy when it knows that it is difficult to prove the charge in court in the absence of evidence against the accused persons of having acted in concert. After the violence, Delhi police had said that many PFI members had hidden in the area and instigated the riots. Why has it been unable to arrest them?

The court has reiterated that peaceful assembly and dissent are a part of democracy and no citizen can be denied this right. But violence did take place during the CAA protests near the JMI. It was the duty of the Delhi police to indentify and prosecute those who started the violence or took part in it. It failed in its duty and has instead prosecuted innocent persons who were forced to spend time in jail due to its inefficiency.