Delhi Riots: FIR Omits Mention Of Police In Death Of Man Who Was Made To Sing National Anthem

The First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Delhi Police in a controversial death of a 23-year-old man during Delhi riots this year does not mention the alleged role of cops behind the incident, the HuffPost India reported.

During the violence that engulfed Northeast Delhi for three days since February 24, a video clip went viral on social media showing five men lying injured on a street and other men in police uniform telling them to sing the national anthem and Vande Mataram.

Among the injured men, Faizan, a resident of Kardam Puri, later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.

However, the FIR lodged regarding the incident at Bhajanpura Police Station makes no mention of the video footage where cops were seen assaulting the men, including Faizan, according to a report in the HuffPost. It further says that the FIR contradicted on-record police statements on Faizan being in police custody after being assaulted. The FIR also says that the man died after he went missing from Guru Tegh Bahadur hospital.

According to the FIR, Head Constable Manoj Bhatti arrived at GTB hospital on February 25 and received Faizan’s medico-legal-certificate (MLC) which claimed “physical assault by mob” as stated by the patient himself. The FIR further says that Faizan had received treatment and left GTB hospital on his own. The FIR adds that the police visited Faizan’s house but did not find him there. Later, they learnt he was admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital and had died.

An eyewitness, who was assaulted along with Faizan, told HuffPost India that they were put into a police vehicle after the incident and taken to the GTB hospital for basic first-aid and then taken to the Jyoti Nagar police station.

Further, Faizan’s family has not yet received a copy of his autopsy report. His 61-year-old mother told HuffPost India that the local cops had asked her to change her statement saying the police assaulted her son and then denied him medical attention while being held at Jyoti Nagar police station.

She also claimed that the police said she would receive aid and money if she “changed her view”.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Rajesh Deo who is heading the probe refused to comment on whether the uniformed police personnel seen in the viral video had been indentified.

Commenting on the inconsistencies in the initial police reports, Deo said the case was pending investigation and If there were discrepancies, they would come out during further investigation. The police are yet to file a charge-sheet in the case and hence, prosecution proceedings cannot begin in court.

Vrinda Grover, lawyer for Faizan’s family, said, “This is not a blind spot or a mystery case, one without any evidence, but one in which there is clear video evidence.” She further told HuffPost that “Even during a situation of riots or disturbances, formal orders get passed on which police units will be deputed in which areas. Who those six to eight policemen were who assaulted Faizan is known to the police.”

Grover said If the police SIT was not submitting a charge-sheet after over three months of the incident, then it shows “the police is shielding those men.”

On March 11, Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that a total of 2,647 people had been detained or arrested in these riots "which prima facie is a pre-planned conspiracy". About 700 FIRs were filed, 152 weapons used in violence seized so far and 49 cases lodged under Arms Act, he informed the House.