A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced a man to four years of rigorous imprisonment in a case concerning the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The court observed that the crimes committed by the man were based on hatred and greed.
While sentencing Noor Mohammad, Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala of Karkardooma Courts said that riotous acts were guided by hatred, while robbery and loot of cash amount was guided by greed.
Reportedly, Noora and Nabi Mohammad were convicted earlier in January in FIR 221 of 2020, lodged at Police Station Khajuri Khas. Noora Mohammad was held guilty for the offences punishable under Section 148, 427, 435, 436, 149, 392 and 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Noor Mohammad was also convicted for being a member of a riotous mob which vandalized and set on fire several shops, robbed some individuals and violated prohibitory order passed by the police.
Furthermore, Nabi Mohammad was convicted for robbery of mobile phones from two individuals. While Noor Mohammad was sentenced to four years in prison, Nabi Mohammad was sentenced to imprisonment already undergone by him in the case.
The Delhi court observed that both the convicts had been in the low-income group of the society and though the crime committed was not a lighter, but lack of education, influence of mob sentiments, unsettled life and given family background of Noora could not be overlooked.
The court further added that as far as convict Nabi Mohammad is concerned, it found that facing trial in the case and spending time in jail after conviction, would have given him sufficient lessons.
The Delhi riots broke out on the eve of February 23, 2020 in Northeast Delhi between Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and pro-CAA protestors. The violence soon took communal turns and claimed the lives of more than 53 people over the course of next 10 days. Nearly 200 people were left injured, shops and houses were burnt down and even places of worship were attacked.