Delhi Riots Case: Lokesh Solanki Sentenced to 3 Years for 'Promoting Hatred For Muslims'

A Delhi Court has sentenced Lokesh Kumar Solanki to three years of imprisonment for his role in the 2020 Delhi Riots, observing that he "promoted hatred for Muslims and added fuel to tensions" during the communal violence. The verdict was pronounced on July 11, 2025, in the case titled State vs Lokesh Kumar Solanki (related to FIR No. 37/2020, PS Gokalpuri, Sessions Case No. 117/2020).

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala, presiding over the case, found Solanki guilty under IPC

• Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc.) and
• Section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).

The court specifically highlighted his actions of spreading hate messages towards the Muslim community and inducing people to commit crimes against them. The case involved attacks on the house of a Muslim woman named Majida and the shop of another individual named Babbu in the North East Delhi area during the riots.

The court emphasized that the acts committed by Solanki were aimed at promoting ill-will and communal disharmony. However, as Solanki had already undergone imprisonment of more than three years—which is the maximum punishment for the offenses under Sections 153A and 505 of the IPC—the court ordered his release upon payment of a fine of ₹25,000 for each offense, amounting to ₹50,000.

This sentencing serves as a clear message that acts contributing to communal strife and hatred will be met with serious legal consequences, while also taking into account the period of imprisonment already served by the convict.