2020 Delhi Riots: HC Declines Devangana’s Plea To Reconstruct Case Diary

Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Monday delivered a split verdict on activist Devangana Kalita’s petition linked to the 2020 Delhi riots probe.

While ordering the Delhi Police to safeguard case diaries related to the Jafrabad violence, the court refused her demand to have them reconstructed.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja said the earlier interim order of December 2024, which required the diaries to be preserved, would now remain permanent. However, he made it clear that the request for reconstruction stood rejected.

Kalita’s Claim

Kalita, a founding member of Pinjra Tod and an accused in the riots “larger conspiracy” case, alleged that investigators had slipped in antedated witness statements to suggest she clashed with police during the protests. Her lawyer argued that without reconstruction, it would be impossible to verify the authenticity of the records.

The police dismissed the charges, warning that repeated applications were designed to stall the trial.

What Led To The Plea

In November 2024, a magistrate court had turned down her request, prompting Kalita to move the High Court. A month later, the court had passed an interim order asking police to preserve the diaries until a final decision was taken.

Kalita, along with activists Natasha Narwal and Asif Iqbal Tanha, was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly plotting the riots under the cover of anti-CAA protests.

The 3 were granted bail in June 2021, though the conspiracy case against them continues.