A Delhi court has granted bail to two persons who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the north-east Delhi riots cases, noting that there was “hardly any connection” between the CCTV footage and the incident cited in the FIR.
Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav said, “A bare perusal of the FIR in this matter and the place where the applicant is stated to be seen rioting is altogether different.” The court also questioned the delay of 112 days between the registration of FIR and the arrest.
The court enlarged Habib Ahmed and Irfan on bail under separate orders but with similar conditions.
It said they will continue to help the investigation and shall not tamper with evidence.
The court also ordered them to keep their mobile phone in operational condition, the number to be intimated to the area SHO upon their release, and also to instal Aarogya Setu app.
Gap of 112 days
The counsel, appearing for the duo, had argued that the alleged incident in the matter took place on February 24, 2020, whereas the FIR in the matter was registered on March 3 and the duo was arrested after 112 days of recording of the FIR on June 14.
The counsel further argued that the duo had no previous involvement. “No test identification parade in the matter was conducted. Even the police custody remand of the applicant was not sought in the matter,” the counsel had argued.
The Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) argued that the duo was seen rioting in CCTV footage of PWD camera.
The APP further submitted that Constable Sunil had duly identified them.
“There is hardly any connection between the CCTV footage and the incident in this case. As regards identification by Constable Sunil of the applicant is concerned, even same has no meaning as why he kept waiting from 24.02.2020 till 14.06.2020 and not reported the matter to the police, [sic],” the court said.