New Delhi, Dec 05 : The Supreme Court will on Monday pronounce its verdict on bail pleas filed by several accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case, which investigators have termed part of a “larger conspiracy”.
Those seeking bail include student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with Shadab Ahmed, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Gulfisha Fatima and Mohd Saleem Khan.
As per the cause list, the matter will be decided by a Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B Varale.
The pleas challenge earlier orders of the Delhi High Court, which had denied bail after holding that a prima facie case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was made out against the accused.
The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on December 10 after hearing arguments from both sides and later permitted the filing of additional documents until December 18.
Delay in trial cited by defence
During the hearings, counsel for the accused strongly emphasised the prolonged delay in the trial, arguing that proceedings have remained stagnant for years and are unlikely to commence in the near future.
The defence pointed out that several accused have been in custody for over five years under the stringent provisions of the UAPA. It was also argued that despite extensive investigation, there is no direct evidence linking the accused to acts of violence during the riots.
Delhi Police opposes bail
Opposing the bail pleas, the Delhi Police maintained that the February 2020 violence was pre-planned and coordinated, and not spontaneous.
Appearing for the police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the riots were part of a deliberate attempt to destabilise the country. He submitted that the protests were organised with the intention of drawing international attention, coinciding with the visit of the then US President to India.
The prosecution claimed that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was used as a trigger to mobilise protests under the guise of peaceful dissent and referred to WhatsApp groups and online coordination to support allegations of conspiracy.
According to the police, the violence resulted in 53 deaths, injuries to hundreds, and the registration of over 750 FIRs across Delhi.
The prosecution also attributed delays in the trial to the accused, stating that they consumed substantial time opposing the framing of charges.
In September last year, the Delhi High Court had dismissed bail pleas filed by Khalid, Imam and others, observing that the seriousness of the allegations warranted a full trial.