2020 North-East Delhi riots: High Court directs Delhi govt to release compensation to victims
New Delhi: In a significant move towards justice, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to release compensation to victims of the 2020 North-East Delhi riots based on recommendations from the North-East Delhi Riots Claims Commission. The order was passed by Justice Sachin Datta while hearing a group of 20 petitions filed by riot victims seeking financial aid under the government’s “Assistance Scheme for the Help of Riot Victims.”
The petitioners argued that while the compensation recommended by the Claims Commission was insufficient compared to their actual losses, the amount should still be released promptly. On January 15, the petitioners’ counsel informed the court that recommendations for compensation had been finalized in 14 out of the 20 cases. Despite the limited compensation assessed, they urged the court to ensure the immediate disbursal of the approved amounts.
The counsel representing the Delhi government did not oppose the request, leading Justice Datta to order the release of the recommended sums. “Accordingly, the respondent no. 2 is directed to release the amount recommended by the North-East Riot Delhi Commission qua the petitioners in the present batch of cases,” the court stated. However, the court clarified that the release of funds would not affect the petitioners’ right to seek additional compensation, as some victims are pursuing enhanced claims. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on May 29, 2025.
The North-East Delhi Riots Claims Commission was established in November 2020 to address compensation claims from victims of the February 2020 riots. Inaugurated by Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, the Commission has been tasked with assessing and recommending financial assistance to those affected by the violence.
The communal clashes, which erupted on February 24, 2020, were sparked by confrontations between supporters and opponents of the controversial citizenship law. The violence spiralled into one of the deadliest riots in recent Delhi history, claiming 53 lives and leaving over 200 people injured.
Along with the tragic loss of life, the riots caused extensive property damage, displacing hundreds of families and leaving communities scarred.
In the aftermath of the riots, around 750 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered, including one under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which alleges a larger conspiracy behind the violence. The Claims Commission was set up as part of the government’s efforts to provide relief to the victims, ensuring financial aid to help them rebuild their lives. The court’s directive offers a ray of hope for victims who have waited nearly five years
for justice and support, though the adequacy of the compensation remains a point of contention for many.
