The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail petitions of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and 9 other accused in the February 2020 riots. 53 people were killed in the riots. The court considered the conspiracy and its gravity.
Delhi News: The Delhi High Court has rejected the bail petitions of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and eight other accused in the February 2020 Delhi riots case. Pronouncing the verdict, the bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shailendra Kaur stated that this was not just an ordinary riot but part of a well-planned conspiracy. This decision by the High Court is being considered a major setback for the accused.
Who Are the Accused?
The accused denied bail include Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Mohammed Salim Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Tasleem Ahmed, and Gulfisha Fatima. All accused are in jail under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) in connection with the conspiracy behind the violence and riots that occurred in February 2020.
Reference to Well-Planned Conspiracy
During the hearing of the bail petitions, the Delhi Police bly objected. The police stated that this was not a spontaneous riot but a planned conspiracy. The police claim that the accused were involved with the motive of inciting people and escalating the riots.
Arguments by Tushar Mehta
Representing the prosecution, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the conspiracy involved damaging India's image. He contended that granting bail solely on the grounds of prolonged incarceration would not be appropriate. Mehta informed the court that the riots were orchestrated as part of a carefully considered strategy.
Devastation in February 2020 Riots
The Delhi riots in February 2020 resulted in the deaths of 53 people, while over 700 were injured. This violence erupted during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The magnitude of the riots and the conspiracy behind them sent shockwaves across the entire nation.
Bail Petitions Were Pending
The bail petitions of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, and other accused had been pending in the Delhi High Court since 2022. Various benches heard these petitions from time to time. After the hearing on July 10, the High Court reserved its verdict, which was announced on Tuesday.
Status of Accused and Mandatory Jail Custody
The High Court clarified that it is mandatory for the accused to remain in custody in such serious cases. The court stated that the planning and motive behind the riots are very serious, making it inappropriate to grant bail. This decision means the accused will remain in jail at least until the court's final judgment.
