Tue Nov 18 13:42:26 UTC 2025: News Article:
Delhi High Court Demands Status Update on 2020 Riot Investigation
New Delhi, November 18, 2025 – The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to provide an update on the ongoing investigation into the 2020 Delhi riots. A bench comprised of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain made the request while hearing a collection of petitions related to the February 2020 unrest. These petitions include demands for FIRs against political figures alleged to have made hate speeches.
The Court expressed concern that the petitioners have not pursued alternative remedies available to them and that the pleas have been pending for six years. The bench suggested that matters of evidence and factual disputes are better addressed before a magistrate who can supervise the investigation.
“These petitions are pending for so long for no good reason,” the bench stated. “FIRs have been registered and the police are investigating.”
The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 21st, during which the Delhi Police counsel is expected to present the investigation’s progress and the total number of FIRs filed. Several petitions before the High Court seek to hold political leaders accountable for hate speeches, establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the violence, and file FIRs against police officers.
The police have previously stated that three SITs under the Crime Branch have already been formed and that, to date, there is no evidence of police officer involvement in the violence or that political figures instigated or participated in it.
Summary:
The Delhi High Court is seeking an update from the Delhi Police on the status of the investigation into the 2020 Delhi riots. The court is hearing petitions related to the riots, including demands for FIRs against political leaders for alleged hate speeches. The court has expressed concern that the petitioners have not pursued alternative remedies and that the petitions have been pending for six years. The police have previously stated that investigations are underway and that there is no evidence of police officer involvement or that political figures instigated or participated in the violence. The next hearing is scheduled for November 21st.
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