2020 Delhi Riots Cases: Special Public Prosecutor Withdraws Resignation

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, who has been representing Delhi Police in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots cases, has rescinded his resignation.

Prasad, appearing before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai during a hearing related to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal riots, withdrew his resignation on Saturday.

Having served as the special public prosecutor (SPP) for over three-and-a-half years in the riots cases, Prasad had submitted his resignation letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on December 15, 2023. Despite this, he chose to continue as the SPP in the Shraddha Walkar murder case.

“Due to repeated requests from the authorities concerned, I have reconsidered my decision. I have decided to withdraw my resignation and will continue to appear in the (riots) cases,” stated Prasad.

During the proceedings, two other SPPs joined Prasad, indicating an increased strength, seriousness, and efforts by the prosecution in the case, as per a court source. Notably, since the initiation of proceedings in the riots cases, four SPPs have resigned, but none were requested to reconsider their decisions.

Simultaneously, the court scheduled the matter for January 15 for renewed arguments on pleas submitted by five accused in the larger conspiracy case. These pleas seek disclosure of the investigation status before proceeding with arguments on framing charges.