Between 23 and 26 February 2020, North-East Delhi witnessed one of the darkest episodes of communal violence in the nation’s capital. What began as unrest rapidly escalated into days of bloodshed, arson, and targeted brutality that left deep scars on the city’s social fabric. Streets turned into battlegrounds, neighbourhoods into killing zones, and ordinary Hindu families into victims of unprecedented violence.
The riots were marked by large-scale destruction of property and chilling acts of cruelty. Hindu homes were systematically identified, marked, and set ablaze. Hindu men were hunted, assaulted, and murdered, often in full public view. Hindu women faced harassment and terror, while elderly residents and children were forced to flee to save their lives. The violence was not random; it followed a disturbing pattern of religious targeting that many survivors say was impossible to ignore.
Dozens of Hindus lost their lives during those days, including Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma, head constable Ratan Lal, Dalbir Singh Negi, Veer Bhan, Vinod Singh Kashyap, Dinesh Kumar Khatik, Rahul Solanki, Rahul Singh, and several others. For the families of the victims, time has not healed the wounds. The memories of those days remain etched in blood, resurfacing every time justice is delayed or accountability appears uncertain.
Even years after the riots, the suffering continues. Several innocent Hindus remain incarcerated in connection with the violence, while many affected families were forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods permanently. Six years on, victims still live under a constant shadow of fear, haunted by the possibility that those who terrorised their neighbourhoods may return unpunished. The sense of insecurity has become a permanent reality for many survivors.
Beyond the widely reported cases, numerous lesser-known but equally devastating stories emerged from the lanes of Mustafabad, Shiv Vihar, Chand Bagh, Bhajanpura, Yamuna Vihar, Brahmpuri, Prem Vihar, and surrounding areas. These accounts reveal how ordinary citizens were cornered, forced to conceal their religious identity, watch their life’s savings burn, or helplessly witness the killing of loved ones by violent mobs driven by religious hatred.
To understand the true human cost of the Delhi riots, it is essential to listen to these voices of pain, loss, and survival. These testimonies collectively reveal how, in the heart of the nation’s capital, Hindus were systematically targeted, terrorised, and left to rebuild their lives from ashes.
12 Heart-wrenching tragedies of Hindu victims in the Delhi Riots 2020
1. Victims React to Supreme Court Bail Decision, Father Recounts Son’s Killing in Mustafabad
New Delhi: Victims of the 2020 North-East Delhi riots expressed mixed reactions on Monday after the Supreme Court of India rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. While some families said the decision provided relief, they also raised concerns over bail granted to other accused in the case.
Among those reacting was Hari Singh Solanki, a resident of the Mustafabad area of North-East Delhi, whose 26-year-old son Rahul Solanki was killed during the riots. Rahul Solanki was employed as a junior engineer with a private company. Speaking to news agency ANI, Hari Singh Solanki said that 25 February 2020 was the most traumatic day of his life.
According to him, Rahul Solanki had stepped out of the house that day to buy milk. Hari Singh Solanki stated that from a distance he saw a violent mob surrounding his son. He alleged that the mob was armed with sticks, stones, and iron rods. He said he ran towards his son in an attempt to save him but encountered violence in every street along the way. He further alleged that Rahul Solanki was targeted by the mob because of his religious identity.
Hari Singh Solanki said that he later lifted his son’s body with his own hands. He stated that several years have passed since the riots, but the fear and sense of emptiness have remained unchanged, adding that the family home has remained silent since Rahul’s death.
Reacting specifically to the Supreme Court’s order, Hari Singh Solanki said he welcomed the denial of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. However, he described the granting of bail to five other accused as unfortunate, stating that it could increase the risk of pressure on witnesses and tampering with evidence. He expressed apprehension that those released could attempt to influence witnesses.
Another family affected by the violence is that of Ram Sugarth, a resident of the Khajuri Khas area. His 15-year-old son, Nitin Sugarth, was killed during the riots. Ram Sugarth stated that Nitin had gone out to buy fast food two days after the riots began and was caught in a clash between police and a violent crowd. He said there could be no compensation for the loss suffered by his family and that they only seek strict punishment for those responsible.
In its order, the Supreme Court stated that there was prima facie evidence of conspiracy against Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam and that bail could not be granted at this stage. The court also clarified that the role of each accused is not the same and that every case must be examined on its own merits.
2. Sonia Vihar Eyewitness Alleges Women and Children Were Armed During Violence
New Delhi: An eyewitness from the Sonia Vihar area of North-East Delhi has alleged that women and children were actively involved in attacks during the violence that took place on the night of 25 February 2020. The account was shared by a Hindu woman living in a rented house in Sonia Vihar, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The woman stated that she remained awake throughout the night due to fear. She said she heard loud noises from the neighbourhood and, when she attempted to observe the situation, saw a crowd moving from a lane towards the main road. According to her account, the crowd was carrying sticks, bricks, rods, and pistols.
She alleged that several women and children were part of the group. She further stated that men from Muslim families were distributing stones, bricks, and sticks to women and children and encouraging them to participate in the attacks. According to her statement, they were instructed to attack any Hindus encountered along the way.
The eyewitness also alleged that bricks and stones had been stockpiled inside houses in advance and were repeatedly brought out during the violence. She said that witnessing these events left her so frightened that she was unable to sleep throughout the night. She further stated that her locality was predominantly Muslim, with her area being the only part inhabited by Hindus.
The woman said she is originally from Bihar and has been living in Sonia Vihar since the death of her husband seven years ago. She works as a domestic help to support her children. She stated that she did not go to work for three days following the violence due to fear and expressed uncertainty about continuing to stay in Delhi. She repeatedly requested that her identity not be disclosed, citing concerns for her safety.
Accounts from other individuals affected by the violence were also shared. A small shopkeeper identified as Shyam, also known as “Chaiwala,” stated that his shop in the Bhajanpura area was damaged by a mob. He said he hid in a by-lane during the violence and later rushed to his home in Yamuna Vihar after hearing that houses were being attacked. According to his account, he asked his wife to leave the area with their four children and stay with a family friend. He stated that the family spent the night hiding without food or water and that he broke down after seeing the condition of his shop the following day.
Another individual from the Chand Bagh area stated that he avoided harm by concealing his religious identity. He alleged that he wore a cap and identified himself by a different name while returning from work in order to avoid being attacked.
Multiple eyewitnesses have alleged that the violence in several parts of North-East Delhi involved targeted attacks, arson, and stone-pelting, resulting in loss of life, injuries to civilians and police personnel, and damage to public property. Investigations and legal proceedings related to the violence are ongoing.
3. Eyewitness Accounts Describe Prepared Violence and Loss of Livelihood in Bhajanpura
New Delhi: Eyewitnesses to the violence that unfolded during the February 2020 riots in North-East Delhi have described incidents of coordinated attacks, arson, and destruction of property in several localities, including Sonia Vihar, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, and Chand Bagh.
A Hindu woman residing in a rented house in the Sonia Vihar area said she witnessed violent activity in her neighbourhood on the night of 25 February 2020. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, she stated that she remained awake throughout the night due to fear after hearing loud noises nearby. When she went closer to observe the situation, she saw a group moving across the street toward the main road carrying sticks, bricks, iron rods, and pistols.
She stated that women and children were also part of the group. According to her account, male members of the families present were distributing stones, bricks, and sticks to women and children and encouraging them to participate in the attacks. She said they were instructed to attack any Hindus encountered along the way. The eyewitness further stated that bricks and stones had been stored inside houses beforehand and were repeatedly brought out during the violence. She said the events left her so frightened that she was unable to sleep throughout the night and noted that her locality was predominantly Muslim, with only a small Hindu population.
The woman, originally from Bihar, stated that she had been living in Sonia Vihar since the death of her husband seven years earlier and worked as a domestic help to support her children. She said she had not gone to work for three days following the violence due to fear and was uncertain about continuing to live in Delhi. She repeatedly requested that her identity not be disclosed, citing concerns for her safety.
Another account from Bhajanpura was provided by a tea shop owner identified as Shyam, also known as “Chaiwala.” Shyam stated that he witnessed vehicles being set on fire and Hindu homes being attacked by a violent mob. He said he hid in a by-lane during the violence and was unable to intervene. He later learned that a large mob had attacked Hindu houses in the Yamuna Vihar area, where his own home was located.
Fearing for the safety of his wife and four children, Shyam said he rushed home and asked his wife to take the children and leave the Muslim-majority locality to seek shelter at the house of a family friend in another lane. He stated that the family spent the rest of the day and the entire night hiding in fear, without food or water.
The following morning, after police personnel arrived in the area, Shyam said he gathered the courage to go to his shop. Upon seeing it damaged, he broke down, stating that it was his only means of livelihood.
Another resident from the Chand Bagh area stated that he avoided harm by concealing his religious identity while returning from work. He said he wore a cap and identified himself by a different name to avoid being attacked.
Eyewitnesses across multiple localities described incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism during the violence, which resulted in deaths, injuries to civilians and police personnel, and extensive damage to property. Victims of the violence included Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma and head constable Ratan Lal, among others.
4. Man Says He Removed Religious Symbols to Avoid Attack After Killing Nearby
New Delhi: A resident of North-East Delhi has described taking steps to conceal his religious identity during the violence that erupted on the night of 24 February 2020, following the killing of a man near his home amid the Delhi riots.
According to the account, Vinod Kumar was killed brutally at a location a short distance from the residence of a man identified as Gopal. Gopal stated that he became fearful after hearing that a mob chanting slogans had turned violent in the area. He further stated that he learned Vinod Kumar had been killed because a “Jai Shri Ram” sticker was affixed to his motorcycle.
Gopal said that after learning of the killing, he began planning how to escape the area safely. He stated that he removed religious stickers depicting deities from his own motorcycle. He further stated that, in an attempt to avoid being identified, he cut off the sacred thread tied around his wrist.
The account forms part of a series of eyewitness narratives from different localities in North-East Delhi during the February 2020 violence, in which residents described fear, concealment, and attempts to flee areas affected by mob attacks.
5. Elderly Couple Recall Destruction of Home in Shiv Vihar
New Delhi: An elderly Hindu couple from the Shiv Vihar area of North-East Delhi has recounted the destruction of their home during the 2020 Delhi riots, stating that the events continue to affect them years later.
In an interview to Aaj Tak, the couple said they had built their house using their lifetime savings and by selling ancestral land in their village, they stated that the house was destroyed during the riots.
According to their account, a mob targeted their residence on the night of the violence. Stones and petrol bombs were thrown at the house, and threats were shouted from outside, warning them to come out or face being burned alive. At the time of the attack, only the elderly husband and wife were inside the house. They said they hid in a corner out of fear.
The elderly woman became emotional while recalling the incident and stated that the house had been built through years of personal sacrifice. The couple said that with the help of Hindu neighbours, their lives were saved, but the house was completely destroyed in the violence.
They stated that the riots left them without their home and that even now they stand in front of the burned structure, uncertain about where to go next.
6. Man Says He Escaped Attack by Concealing Identity Near Tahir Hussain’s Building
New Delhi: A Hindu man has described escaping a violent attack during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots by concealing his identity and giving a different name, according to his account of the incident.
The man stated that he was returning from duty when he was confronted by an aggressive mob near a building associated with Tahir Hussain. He said the mob stopped him and attempted to drag him inside the building. According to his account, members of the mob questioned him and became violent.
The man stated that, in an attempt to save his life, he immediately put on a cap and gave his name as “Imran” instead of revealing his actual identity. He said he repeatedly told the mob that he was “Imran” and referred to himself as their brother. He stated that after hearing the name, the mob released him, allowing him to flee into a nearby lane and escape.
The area where the incident occurred was identified by the man as the same locality where Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma was earlier killed during the riots.
The account adds to multiple narratives from the February 2020 violence in North-East Delhi, in which individuals have described being confronted, questioned, or targeted during the unrest based on their identity.
7. Injured ACP Anuj Kumar Recounts Chand Bagh Violence and Rescue of Senior Officers
New Delhi: Assistant Commissioner of Police Anuj Kumar has recounted the events he faced during the violence in the Chand Bagh area of North-East Delhi in February 2020, during which he sustained injuries while attempting to evacuate senior officers amid heavy stone-pelting by a large crowd.
Anuj Kumar stated that on 24 February 2020, he was escorting Shahdara DCP Amit Sharma to hospital after the officer was injured during the violence. He said that as they were moving through the area, stone-pelting continued from multiple directions and he himself suffered a serious head injury. He stated that at that moment, there was no time to respond to the pain due to the situation unfolding around them.
According to Anuj Kumar, head constable Ratan Lal was also present with them during the incident. He said they were initially unaware that Ratan Lal had been shot. Ratan Lal was taken to GTB Hospital, where he later died. After that, DCP Amit Sharma was taken to Max Hospital for treatment.
Recalling the conditions at the site, Anuj Kumar stated that the crowd facing the police numbered between 20,000 and 25,000 people, while the police force present comprised around 200 personnel. He said the crowd included both men and women and had gathered near the road connecting the Signature Bridge towards the Ghaziabad border, which police personnel had been instructed not to block.
He stated that as the crowd grew, people moved from the service lane onto the main road. According to his account, an allegation then spread that children had been killed by police firing, which further intensified the situation and led to a larger gathering. He said the distance between the police force and the crowd reduced to approximately 15 to 20 metres, after which stone-pelting began.
Anuj Kumar stated that when violence escalated in the Chand Bagh market area, DCP Amit Sharma was injured. He said the officer was bleeding from the mouth and had lost consciousness, while the crowd was positioned just 5 to 10 metres away and continued to throw stones. He described the moment as one in which the situation appeared close to collapse, but said he managed to regain control and move the injured DCP across a divider grille to a safer area.
He further stated that due to the close proximity between the crowd and police personnel, tear gas could not be used. He said that firing also posed the risk of injuring women and children present in the crowd, and that identifying individual perpetrators was difficult under the circumstances. According to his account, attackers used stones and iron rods during the assault, and firing also took place.
The violence in North-East Delhi, which began on 23 February 2020, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. Confirmed fatalities included head constable Ratan Lal and Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma, along with other civilians and security personnel.
8. Victim Recounts Being Targeted During Delhi Riots After Being Identified as Hindu
Delhi: Recounting the violence during the Delhi riots, a Hindu man who survived an attack described the circumstances under which he was targeted by a mob.
According to the victim’s account, the attackers were carrying thick iron rods, sharp knives, rods wrapped with barbed wire, and bottles filled with petrol. He stated that the crowd was moving aggressively from multiple directions at the time of the attack.
Recalling the incident, the victim said that members of the mob were shouting slogans identifying him by his religious identity. He stated that the crowd was yelling, “They are Hindus identify them,” as they advanced toward him.
The victim said he does not fully understand how he survived the attack, describing the events of that day as terrifying and life-threatening.
9. Father Killed in Brahmpuri During Delhi Violence, Son Recounts February 25 Incident
New Delhi: A resident of the Brahmpuri area in Delhi, Nitin Kumar, has recounted the events of February 25, 2020, which he described as the most traumatic day of his life during the violence in the city.
According to Nitin Kumar, he had left home on a motorcycle with his father, Vinod Kumar, to purchase medicine for his son. Given the situation outside, his father decided to accompany him, saying that the environment was not safe. Nitin stated that the road was completely deserted as they travelled.
He said that suddenly a stone struck his face, and a crowd of approximately 100 to 150 people approached from the front. Stone-pelting began from all sides, causing Nitin to fall from the motorcycle. He reported that his father, Vinod Kumar, was attacked with sticks and struck on the head, resulting in his death at the spot.
“My father died on the spot. I could not do anything,” Nitin Kumar said while recalling the incident.
Nitin further stated that the crowd set his motorcycle on fire. He said he shouted for help, but no assistance came.
10. Yamuna Vihar Resident Shot While Returning After Dropping Children for Tuition
New Delhi: During the Delhi violence, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, Yatendra Kumar, sustained a gunshot injury while returning home after dropping children for tuition classes.
According to Yatendra Kumar, he was travelling from Gokalpur to Yamuna Vihar on the day of the riots when the situation on the road suddenly deteriorated. He stated that he had dropped children at their tuition centre and was on his way back when he encountered a crowd ahead.
Yatendra Kumar said that a mob of rioters was approaching from the front and that continuous firing was taking place from behind the crowd. He was riding a scooter at the time when a bullet fired from behind struck him.
Despite being injured by the gunshot, Yatendra Kumar managed to remain conscious and drove himself on the same scooter to the hospital for treatment. Describing the conditions at the time, he said the situation was extremely serious, with an atmosphere of fear and disorder prevailing on all sides.
11. Twenty-Five Years of Work Reduced to Ashes During Delhi Riots
New Delhi: During the violence that broke out in north-east Delhi, Shyam, a resident of the Chand Bagh area, said the night of February 24 and 25, 2020, became the most frightening experience of his life. He stated that he had been running a tea shop in the area for the past 25 years.
According to Shyam, a crowd of thousands suddenly gathered in the locality as the situation deteriorated. He recalled that there was chaos all around and gunshots were heard. Fearing for his life, he closed his shop and fled the area.
A short while later, he said, rioters broke open the shop’s shutter and looted everything inside. Shyam stated that items purchased on loan, including a refrigerator, an ice cream machine, cold drinks, and gas equipment, were either set on fire or taken away.
The incident occurred amid the large-scale violence that affected several parts of north-east Delhi during those days.
12. Mother Recalls Son’s Death After Being Caught in Stone-Pelting
New Delhi: A mother of a Delhi riots victim has recounted the events of the night in 2020 when her son, Alok Tiwari, died after being caught in violence in the Prem Vihar area of the capital.
Speaking from her residence in Prem Vihar, Gali No. 7, Alok Tiwari’s mother said the events of that night remain vivid in her memory. She stated that Alok had finished his meal and stepped out of the house despite being advised by his family not to go outside due to disturbances in the area. According to her, both she and Alok’s wife tried to stop him, telling him that there was unrest outside, but he said he would return after briefly checking the situation.
She said that shortly after Alok left, stone-pelting began in the locality and a Muslim crowd became uncontrollable. Alok was caught in the violence and suffered a serious head injury. Nearby residents attempted to provide first aid and tried to help him, but the ambulance arrived late. By the time medical assistance reached him, he had lost a significant amount of blood.
The mother said her son was struggling in front of her and she was unable to do anything to save him. Alok Tiwari was originally from Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by a son and a daughter. His mother said that even now there is a sense of fear in the area and the family remains alert, particularly for the safety of their daughters.
For the family, she said, the riots were not just an incident but the day they lost their son, a loss that continues to affect them.
The accounts emerging from the Delhi riots of 2020 reflect a consistent pattern of fear, loss, and lasting trauma for Hindu families across North-East Delhi. These testimonies reveal not isolated incidents, but a chain of events that dismantled lives, homes, and livelihoods within a matter of hours.
For the victims, justice is not an abstract legal principle. It is tied to memory, accountability, and the hope that such violence will not be repeated. The recurring themes of targeted attacks, identity-based threats, and long-term psychological scars underline the seriousness of these events and their enduring impact on affected communities.
As legal proceedings continue and public discourse evolves, these voices serve as a reminder that beyond headlines and courtrooms lie families still waiting for closure. Their experiences form an essential part of the historical record of the Delhi riots, demanding sober reflection, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to justice.
