On July 15, 2026, a report from New Delhi detailed that a judicial panel headed by Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh of the Karkardooma Court conducted a thorough on‑site inspection of Chand Bagh, one of the most affected neighborhoods during the 2020 North‑East Delhi riots. The visit occurred before the final judgment in the high‑profile case against Tahir Hussain, marking a rare procedural move in India’s criminal justice system.

Background and Case Overview

The 2020 riots resulted in multiple fatalities, including the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma. Sharma’s body was later recovered from the Khajoori Khas drain, prompting a lengthy investigation by the Delhi Police and Crime Branch. On May 11, police deployed heavily in Chand Bagh, and the judicial panel arrived to corroborate witness testimonies with the actual topography of the area.

Why the On‑Site Visit Matters

According to police officials, it is exceptionally rare for judges to visit a crime scene before pronouncing a verdict. One officer recalled a similar practice during the 2002 Gujarat riots, noting that such visits are primarily intended to validate the physical feasibility of witness statements. The panel examined Gali 6, where Sharma lived, and the drain beneath Chand Bagh Pulia where his body was found, tracing the route the mob allegedly used to abduct and drag him.

Judge’s Observations

In his order, Judge Singh highlighted that a key witness never claimed to have seen the incident from inside the gate of Gali 6. The judge clarified that the witness’s description—“came up to the gate and then saw the incident”—does not necessarily mean she remained inside the gate. Moreover, the judge noted that Chand Bagh Pulia is clearly visible from the point where the lane meets Main Karawal Nagar Road, and that both Tahir Hussain’s house and the prosecution witness Pradeep Verma’s parking area could be seen from within the gate.

Potential Implications

This on‑site verification underscores a growing emphasis on evidentiary rigor in Indian courts, especially in cases involving communal violence. By establishing the line‑of‑sight and spatial relationships, the judiciary aims to prevent reliance on ambiguous or contradictory testimonies. The practice could set a precedent for future high‑stakes criminal trials, encouraging more empirical scrutiny of witness accounts.