Delhi HC Dismisses Pleas For SIT Probe Into 2020 Delhi Riots, 2019 Jamia Violence

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a batch of petitions seeking an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the 2020 northeast Delhi riots and the 2019 violence at Jamia Millia Islamia, rejecting demands for an investigation outside the existing police framework.

A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain said all the petitions were dismissed and divided the cases into two categories, the northeast Delhi riots and the Jamia violence. A detailed judgment explaining the reasons is awaited.

The petitions came against the backdrop of protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Violence erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia in December 2019 following anti-CAA demonstrations, with petitioners alleging that police personnel subjected students to brutalities and calling for an independent probe into their conduct.

In February 2020, communal violence broke out in northeast Delhi amid the wider CAA protests, leaving at least 53 people dead and around 700 injured. The petitions sought an SIT, commission of inquiry or fact-finding committee, besides compensation and medical relief for victims, FIRs against police officers allegedly responsible for lapses and action over alleged hate speeches by political leaders.

The verdict also comes as the broader legal proceedings arising from the riots continue on another track. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the separate larger-conspiracy case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), were denied bail by the Delhi High Court on September 30 and remain in custody.

The two proceedings are legally separate, but together reflect the continuing courtroom battle over the 2020 violence, from demands for greater scrutiny of alleged police and political conduct to prosecution of individuals accused of involvement in a larger conspiracy.

The High Court had reserved its verdict on the SIT petitions on July 24. Its detailed order is now expected to spell out why the demand for an independent probe was rejected.