A Delhi court has directed law enforcement to register a fresh FIR in the case of a Muslim family targeted during the February 2020 pogrom in Northeast Delhi. The family alleged that they were attacked in a violent communal incident, and that the police had previously failed to act on their detailed complaint—thus diluting the severity of their case by merging it into unrelated FIRs
During the proceedings, Judicial Magistrate Isra Zaidi sharply criticized the police for their inaction and refusal to recognize the gravity of the violence. She emphasized that serious allegations of hate speech, arson, looting, and targeted violence must not be diluted by clubbing them with broader complaints. The court ruled that this fresh FIR be filed separately to enable a fair and impartial investigation
The victims reported being targeted by organisers of the violence who used provocative slogans and hate-driven rhetoric. No immediate arrests were ordered in parallel, but the court’s decision reflects a growing judicial insistence on accountability for communal violence and remedial justice for aggrieved communities
Wider Context & Judicial Trends
- Following the 2020 Delhi riots, courts have consistently rebuked Delhi Police for handling investigations in a “callous,” “casual,” and “ludicrous” manner. Officers were accused of defying statutory responsibilities or protecting accused individuals
- Multiple victim testimonies and judicial findings revealed that police often delayed registration of FIRs, merged unrelated complaints to weaken cases, and resisted intervention by senior officers—leading many victims to file petitions before courts to ensure legal recourse
- Independent investigations and rights groups found that a pattern of deliberate inaction or bias—resulting in under-reporting of hate speech incidents and neglect of severe crimes—eroded trust in law enforcement and hindered justice for victims
