The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Delhi Police on a petition filed by Mohd. Khalid, an accused in the tragic murder of Head Constable Ratan Lal during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The petition challenges the charges framed against him in the case.
The matter was heard by Justice Shalinder Kaur, who asked the Delhi Police to respond before the next date of hearing, scheduled for October 14, 2025. Senior Public Prosecutor Ashish Dutta, along with advocate Mayank, appeared for the prosecution, while advocates RHA Sikander, Mohd. Hasan, and Heema represented the petitioner.
“Let the reply be filed, before the next date of hearing, with an advance copy to the opposite side,” the Court stated.
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Khalid’s plea challenges the 22nd November 2024 order passed by the Additional Sessions Judge of the North-East District, Delhi, in Sessions Case No. 119/2020 (State vs. Mohd Saleem Khan & Ors). This order framed serious charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and other acts, including:
IPC Sections: 148, 186, 188, 302, 323, 325, 332, 333, 353, 427, 435, 307, 308, 395
Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984: Section 4
Arms Act: Sections 25, 27, 54, 59
IPC Sections read with 120B and 149 (criminal conspiracy and unlawful assembly)
“Even if all the allegations and the witness statements under Section 161 CrPC are presumed to be true, they do not make out any case of liability against the petitioner,” Khalid’s petition argued.
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According to the FIR (No. 60/2020) registered at Dayalpur Police Station, the incident took place around 1 PM when a group of violent protesters armed with sticks, iron rods, and stones gathered at Wazirabad Road, ignoring police instructions. Mild force and gas shells were used to control the mob, but violence escalated.
As per the constable’s statement, the protestors assaulted several officers, including DCP Shahdara, ACP Gokulpuri, and Head Constable Ratan Lal, causing serious injuries. Ratan Lal succumbed to his injuries, and DCP Shahdara was rendered unconscious with a head injury.
“The protestors attacked DCP Shahdara, ACP Gokulpuri, and Head Constable Ratan Lal due to which they fell on the road and sustained grievous injuries,” the statement added.
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Khalid was named in the 5th supplementary chargesheet filed by Delhi Police and was subsequently arrested in June 2023. He was granted bail in September 2023. He now contends there is no prima facie evidence establishing his direct involvement or any material that raises grave suspicion against him.
The prosecution, while reserving the right to question the maintainability of the petition, has been directed to file its reply before the next date of hearing.
Title: MOHD KHALID v. STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI