The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Delhi Police on bail pleas filed by student activists Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, and Shifa Ur Rehman, all accused under the UAPA in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria issued notices and listed the matter for further hearing on October 27.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners, told the court, “They are students and have been in jail for over 5 years.”
On September 2, the Delhi High Court had refused bail to Imam, Khalid, and several others, observing that their alleged role in the conspiracy was “grave”. The court noted that speeches delivered by Imam and Khalid were inflammatory and sought to mobilise crowds on communal lines.
The police have consistently opposed their bail, maintaining that the riots were not a case of “spontaneous violence” but were “planned well in advance with a sinister motive and conspiracy.”
The accused are facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their alleged involvement in orchestrating violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The riots in February 2020 claimed 53 lives and left over 700 people injured. Imam, arrested that year, has been named the main conspirator in the case.
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