New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea by Khalid Saifi, activist and founder of United Against Hate, challenging the charge of attempt to murder filed against him in a case related to the communal riots that took place in February 2020. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri delivered the judgment, dismissing Saifi’s revision petition against the charges imposed by a sessions court in January this year, report the Hindustan Times.
The sessions court had framed charges of attempt to murder and rioting against Saifi, former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan, and 11 others. Although the court dismissed allegations of criminal conspiracy and illegal firearm use due to lack of evidence, it noted that the accused were allegedly part of an “armed, riotous mob” that defied police orders to disperse, resorted to stone-pelting, and attacked police officers. The court stated that the conspiracy charge appeared “completely bereft of any reasoning” and was a “figment of imagination” on the part of the investigating officer.
The accused, including Saifi and Jahan, face multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, including rioting (Section 147), rioting with a deadly weapon (Section 148), obstructing a public servant (Section 186), disobedience of a public order (Section 188), causing hurt to deter a public servant (Section 332), assault on a public servant (Section 353), and attempt to murder (Section 307).
Following the sessions court ruling, Saifi approached the High Court, seeking to overturn these charges, specifically the attempt to murder charge. The High Court’s dismissal of his plea upholds the sessions court’s decision. A detailed order on the High Court’s judgment is expected soon.
