Feb 2020 Riots: Delhi HC Rejects Bail To Tasleem Ahmed In ‘Larger Conspiracy’ Case

Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of Tasleem Ahmed, one of the accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar delivered the verdict. Ahmed has been in custody since June 19, 2020.

Defence Cites Delay In Trial

Appearing for Ahmed, Advocate Mehmood Pracha argued that his client had spent over five years in jail without trial progress. He said he never sought adjournments and concluded arguments on charge in a single day, yet the case remained pending.

“Forget speedy trial, even my bail plea is not being heard. I am forced to surrender my rights because of the system’s burden,” Pracha told the court.

Prosecution Opposes Bail

Opposing the plea, Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad maintained that mere delay is not a ground to grant bail under Section 43D(4) of UAPA. He further argued that interim bail cannot be considered by the High Court in an appeal against rejection of bail by the trial court unless urgent circumstances exist.

Case Context

The Delhi Police’s Special Cell had filed FIR 59/2020 under multiple sections of the IPC and the UAPA, alleging a conspiracy behind the riots. Several activists and political leaders have been named in the case.