The Delhi High Court will deliver its verdict on Tuesday on the bail petitions filed by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others accused of orchestrating a “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 Delhi riots.
A bench of Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur had reserved the order on July 9, after detailed hearings from the defence lawyers as well as Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta and Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad.
Prosecution
During arguments, SG Tushar Mehta opposed the bail applications, insisting that cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which concern national security, cannot hinge on delays in trial.
Mehta pointed to speeches allegedly made by Sharjeel Imam, quoting him as saying, “we can separate the chicken neck (North East) from the rest of India forever. If not forever, then for at least a month.” He also highlighted Imam’s remark that “you are aware of the condition of Muslims in Assam. Assam is of Muslims.”
The SG added that Imam had further said, “nothing would happen unless 100–200 people died.”
According to the prosecution, these speeches were part of a larger conspiracy to engineer violence, including a “chakka jam” timed with then-US President Donald Trump’s visit to India, with the alleged intent to tarnish the country’s image globally.
Allegations Of Planning & Funding
Mehta referred to a protected witness who described a meeting attended by Umar Khalid and other accused, where disabling CCTV cameras was allegedly discussed. The chargesheet, he said, contains evidence of such plans.
The prosecution also cited the use of catapults to launch stones, bricks, and petrol bombs. It further alleged that the violence was funded by five accused—Tahir Hussain, Ishrat Jahan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Shifa-ur-Rehman, and Meeran Haider.
Tahir Hussain, Mehta claimed, had even converted “white money into black money” to bankroll the riots. He argued the accused were not merely protesting but were “planning something else.”
Defence lawyers countered by pointing out that the accused have spent years behind bars without charges being framed. They stressed that the trial has not even moved past the stage of arguments, and the prolonged delay justifies bail.
The bail pleas under consideration have been filed by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shadab Ahmed.
Previously, Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, and Asif Iqbal Tanha were granted bail by the High Court in June 2021. Ishrat Jahan also secured bail from the trial court.
2020 Delhi Riots Case
The February 2020 riots in North East Delhi claimed 53 lives and left hundreds injured. Police registered over 700 FIRs, leading to one of the largest criminal investigations in the capital.
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