2020 Delhi Riots: No Evidence That Accused Shifa ur-Rehman Part Of Conspiracy

The Karkardooma Court in Delhi on Monday heard arguments related to the framing of charges against Shifa-ur-Rehman, one of the accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

Rehman, a former president of the Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, is among 18 people charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Allegations Of Pre-Planned Conspiracy

According to the Delhi Police, the riots were not spontaneous but the result of a coordinated plan carried out by activists and student leaders in the backdrop of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. The police allege that Rehman was associated with the Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) and was active in WhatsApp groups linked to the organisation, where plans were allegedly made to provoke violence.

“No Evidence Of Conspiracy,” Argues Defense

Appearing for Rehman, senior advocate Salman Khurshid pushed back against the allegations, stating that the charges lacked any substantial evidence. He argued that Rehman’s involvement in protests was peaceful and that there was no material to support the claim that he financially aided demonstrators for unlawful activities.

“There is no proof that my client was part of any WhatsApp group where anything illegal was planned or discussed,” Khurshid told the court.

He further stated that even if Rehman had helped protestors by providing food or rain protection, such actions were not criminal in nature and should not be construed as part of a conspiracy.

“Helping protesters with essentials like food or rain covers during a peaceful demonstration is not evidence of conspiracy,” he said, adding that conspiracy requires a clear “meeting of minds”, which is missing in this case.

Khurshid also emphasized the legal standard required for framing charges under UAPA.

“There must be a grave suspicion, not just a vague possibility. The evidence presented so far does not meet that threshold.”

Prosecution Holds Ground

The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad, representing Delhi Police, maintained that the material collected during the investigation indicates a larger network aimed at inciting violence. Charge sheets and multiple supplementary charge sheets have been filed in the case.

Rehman is one among several well-known names accused in the case, including Umar Khalid, Tahir Hussain, Sharjeel Imam, Natasha Narwal, and Devangana Kalita.

Following the arguments, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai asked both sides to file written submissions and listed the matter for the next hearing on July 11.

Background

The Delhi riots of February 2020 erupted amid escalating tensions over the CAA, leaving 53 people dead and hundreds injured. The violence, which started as a clash between pro- and anti-CAA groups, quickly spiraled into communal riots. Investigators have since alleged that the violence was orchestrated by a group of individuals under the guise of protests—an allegation the accused deny.

The ongoing hearings will determine whether the charges are strong enough to proceed to trial under India’s stringent anti-terror law.