Delhi Court Grants Relief To Minister Kapil Mishra In 2020 Riots-Related Case

In a significant relief for Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra, the Rouse Avenue Sessions Court has accepted his revision petition and overturned a lower court’s order in connection with a case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.

The ruling, delivered by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh, quashed the earlier order of the Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, which had directed further investigation against Mishra.

The judge noted that althe l accused in the case had already been provided with copies of the charge sheet on a pen drive, as per the previous directions of the court.

Earlier, on April 1, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vaibhav Chaurasia observed that the case involved a cognisable offence and required further investigation.

The directive followed a complaint by Mohammad Ilyas, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, who had sought the registration of an FIR against Mishra.

The police had opposed the complaint, asserting that their investigation found no evidence linking Mishra to the riots. They asserted that political motives drove the allegations and that factual findings did not support them.

Mishra Denies Inciting Communal Hatred

During earlier hearings, Mishra argued that his social media posts, made from his X account, were political in nature and aimed at criticising rival parties, not at targeting any community. His counsel reiterated that the posts were misinterpreted and did not amount to promoting enmity between groups.

An election officer filed the case, alleging that Mishra’s remarks violated Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, which prohibits promoting enmity during elections.

With the Sessions Court setting aside the magistrate’s directive, Mishra has secured a major reprieve in a case that had drawn political attention since the Delhi riots.

The decision effectively ends the proceedings that sought a further probe into his alleged role, reaffirming the earlier police stance that no evidence directly connects him to the violence.

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