‘Where will people like us go?’ — Nearly a year later, ‘no FIR’ in viral Delhi assault video

On 24 February 2020, Wasim Ali, Faizan and 3 others were assaulted allegedly by policemen during the Delhi riots. While Faizan succumbed to injuries, Wasim is still seeking justice.

A screenshot from the viral video of the assault in Kardam Puri on 24 February 2020. | Photo: Twitter

New Delhi: During the Northeast Delhi riots in February last year, 17-year-old Wasim Ali was assaulted with rifle butts and batons, and forced to sing the national anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’ allegedly by a group of police personnel. A video of the incident had gone viral.

There were four others with Wasim, who were assaulted in Kardam Puri while the police was trying to control the riots. Among them was 24-year-old Faizan, who succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of 27 February 2020, after being admitted to the LNJP Hospital in the national capital.

The police filed an FIR in the case at the Bhajanpura police station on 28 February 2020 against “unknown persons”.

Now, 11 months on, the police hasn’t yet filed an FIR in the case based on the complaint by Wasim against the accused, said his lawyer Mehmood Pracha. “The police registered the FIR on their own without taking in regard the complaint of the victim. The video clearly shows the accused, still they remain unnamed,” Pracha said.

The police has also not taken Wasim’s statements into consideration, even after “multiple complaints”, which ultimately “forced” him to move court in November.

“The court ordered the police to file an ‘action taken report’ on 8 December. The moment a cognisable offence is reported or complaint is made, the police should lodge an FIR and investigation should be conducted,” Pracha said.

Speaking to ThePrint, Rajesh Deo, Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime), Delhi Police, said the “investigation on the matter is on”, but refused to give more details as the “matter is sub judice”. He added that the police will file its report in front of the court at the next date of hearing on 6 February.

The incident

The viral video from the 24 February 2020 incident showed the five victims lying down on the ground and bleeding. They were being forced to sing ‘Jana Gana Mana’ even the voices in the video could be heard saying, “Acche se ga” (sing properly). The alleged policemen in riot gear kept hurling abuses at the victims, thrashing and pulling their hair.

@DelhiPolice अगर आप इस तरह से समाज की रक्षा करेंगे, तो आपसे कौन बचाएगा इंसानियत को?
Police requested not to unnecessarily spread photos provocating violence. How do we react to such heinous acts?
Stop pretending state machinery is unbiased. #DelhiViolencepic.twitter.com/vU9pjoEUSS

— We The People of India (@ThePeopleOfIN) February 24, 2020

The men thrashing them purportedly said — “You say in Hindustan, you want Azaadi?” One of the policemen could be seen standing on Wasim’s feet and hitting him on the back.

All five victims were taken to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for first aid in a police van, and then they were allegedly detained overnight at Jyoti Nagar police station.

Why Wasim moved court

According to Pracha, dissatisfied with the FIR against “unknown persons”, Wasim’s father Attaullah has been seeking justice for his then-minor son, who was not only grievously injured but also briefly detained.

On 21 July 2020, Attaullah filed a complaint with senior officials of the Delhi Police. He filed another complaint on 17 September at Jyoti Nagar Police station. No response was received both times.

“Wasim’s complaint has not been taken into consideration. The police have registered a blank FIR on their own which doesn’t mention the right facts. They aren’t taking the right actions, it’s almost a year. How long does it take to identify personnel seen clearly on the video footage?” Pracha said.

Pracha accused the police of indulging in “negligence” and refraining from taking action against anyone but “Muslims”.

The probe

According to a police officer who didn’t wish to be identified, the case was transferred to the crime branch after the FIR at Bhajanpura police station.

“During investigation, it was found that no policemen from the Bhajanpura police station, under which 66 Foota Road (spot of crime in Kardam Puri) comes, were deployed in the area at that time,” a police officer said.

He added that because this locality is surrounded by areas that fall under multiple police stations, police personnel from other areas could have been there. “There are two videos of the incident, the one that was shot from far has helped with the probe,” he added.

One personnel carrying “tear smoke munitions” was identified during the scanning of the videos. However, the personnel identified on the basis of entries were questioned last year by the investigating team, but they denied any involvement, said the officer.

‘Where will people like us go?’

While Wasim Ali was released on the night of the incident, Faizan was released the following day. He died of his injuries later.

On 17 December, Vrinda Grover, the lawyer of Faizan’s mother, submitted a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking the identification of the policemen in the video through a court-monitored probe. The HC has ordered the Delhi Police to submit a response by 1 February.

Speaking to ThePrint, Faizan’s brother Nadeem said his brother had nothing to do with the riots, but “they still killed him”.

“Where will people like us go to go if we suffer these things at the hands of the police just because we are Muslims? Gradually our hope is diminishing. He was a simple vendor, sold fish and meat in the mandi. Till now, my mother asks why would anyone beat you so badly and force you to prove your patriotism,” he said.

“Had they not detained him that night, and given proper medical care, probably he would have survived,” he added.