An investigation by The Indian Express has exposed a troubling pattern of judicial criticism directed at the Delhi Police in cases related to the 2020 riots.

The probe revealed that in at least 17 cases, courts acquitted the accused on grounds of “fabricated” evidence, “fictitious” witnesses, and “foisted” cases.

A detailed review of 93 acquittal orders showed that nearly one in every five judgments censured serious police misconduct. Of the 116 cases connected to the riots for which verdicts have been delivered, 97 ended in acquittals.

In at least 12 orders, judges pointed out that the police introduced “artificial” witnesses or apparently “fabricated” evidence. In two other cases, witnesses testified that police officials had dictated their statements.

Additional sessions judge Parveen Singh articulated this judicial frustration in an acquittal last month.

“There has been an egregious padding of evidence by the IO,” the judge stated.

“Such instances lead to serious erosion of the faith of the people in the investigating process and the rule of law.”

The riots erupted amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2020, leaving at least 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

The Indian Express review highlighted several court orders that dismantled the prosecution’s case. One judge noted that a key witness’s existence “comes under a shadow of doubt, and the possibility of him being a fictitious person cannot be denied.”

In two near-identical orders, courts inferred that the police knew their case was “fabricated” because they failed to conduct a Test Identification Parade (TIP).

Further observations included “probable manipulation in the case diary” and an “artificial claim” by a police constable.

These judicial rebukes suggest a systemic failure in the investigation into one of Delhi’s worst episodes of communal violence.