In an exemplary instance of justice taking its rightful course, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has sanctioned the prosecution of six individuals involved in the grave case linked to the 2020 North East Delhi communal riots. The monumental decision marks a crucial step towards seeking justice for the victim and combating the forces of violence and disruption.

This high-profile case unfolded in the aftermath of the horrendous communal riots that consumed North East Delhi in 2020. During this period of intense upheaval, a young man tragically lost his life to the rampant violence. The victim, a 25-year-old named Shahid, was a resident of Gali No. 17 in New Mustafabad. On 24 February 2020, Shahid sustained a fatal gunshot wound, leading to his untimely death.

In response to this heinous act of violence, the LG, Vinai Kumar Saxena, authorised the commencement of prosecution proceedings. The case, registered under FIR No. 84/2020 on 1 March 2020 at the Dayal Pur police station in Delhi, was filed against six individuals: Mohd Firoz, Chand Mohd, Rais Khan, Md Junaid, Irshad, and Akil Ahmed. The charges levelled against these individuals were severe, with violations registered under sections 153 A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code.

Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code prohibits any act that promotes enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and so forth, particularly if such acts are detrimental to the maintenance of harmony. Violators of this law face severe penalties, including up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.

Section 505 (1) of the Indian Penal Code, on the other hand, covers offenses that pertain to public mischief. This section targets individuals who make, publish, or disseminate any statement, rumor, or report that is likely to incite fear, alarm, or disquiet among the public or any section thereof, inducing people to commit an offense against the state or public tranquility.

All six accused individuals, in this case, admitted to their participation in the violence, adding a grave dimension to the charges against them. In the course of the rioting, they forcefully broke into the building of Saptarishi Ispat and Alloys Pvt. Ltd., looting the company's office in unison with other rioters.

The incident that led to Shahid's demise took place on the roof of the business at 25 Foota Chand Bagh, located on the main Wazirabad Road in Delhi, in close proximity to Chand Bagh Mazar. This location became a hub of unrest during the rioting that occurred on 24 February, two years ago, in the national capital.

The investigation of this complex and high-profile case was handled by the crime branch, which engaged in comprehensive questioning of witnesses and meticulous examination of the evidence collected, including footage from a popular TV channel that had become viral on social media.

After extensive evaluation of the case details and evidence, the Lieutenant Governor sanctioned the authorisation for prosecution under Section 196 (1) of the 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The FIR No. 84/2020, under which the case was registered, invoked multiple sections of the IPC, including 144, 145, 147, 148, 149, 153A, 302, 395, 397, 452, 454, 505, 506, 188, and 120B.

The 2020 Delhi riots, often referred to as the North East Delhi riots, represented a bleak period in the city's history, marked by relentless waves of bloodshed, property destruction, and widespread violence, starting on 23 February 2020. These violent acts, attributed to extremist elements within the Muslim community, including leaders from political parties like the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress, were reportedly planned under the guise of opposing the Citizen Amendment Bill. This bill aimed to provide refuge to oppressed religious minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians from neighboring Islamic countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

In conclusion, the approval of the prosecution by the LG is a promising step towards justice. It serves as a testament to the strength of the Indian judicial system and the commitment to holding accountable those who disturb the peace and harmony of our society.