The Delhi High Court on Tuesday emphasised the need for an expedited resolution in the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others implicated in the February 2020 Delhi riots under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), reports the NDTV.
The bench, comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, expressed concerns over prolonged proceedings and directed the police to specify the roles attributed to each accused in the alleged conspiracy behind the violence.
“This has to end. This can’t go on like this. We can’t give you endless time,” the court stated while addressing the police counsel.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad requested additional time to file a detailed note on the roles of the accused, stating that the matter required a substantial hearing as it involved appeals against trial court orders denying bail.
Prasad further argued that two courts had previously determined that a conspiracy was evident in the case. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the police, also sought more time to present arguments.
However, the bench remained firm, urging the prosecution to expedite the process.
The accused, including Khalid and Imam, face charges under UAPA and the IPC for allegedly orchestrating the riots, which left 53 dead and several injured. The violence erupted during protests against the CAA and the NRC.
SPP Prasad argued that Sharjeel Imam and others delivered inflammatory speeches inciting violence and described the protests as premeditated rather than spontaneous. He alleged that Imam advocated blocking access to Assam, challenging India’s sovereignty, and that the protests at Shaheen Bagh were orchestrated under his leadership.
The prosecution also claimed that speeches by the accused created fear by referencing sensitive issues such as CAA-NRC, the Babri Masjid verdict, triple talaq, and Kashmir. WhatsApp groups were allegedly used to plan violence, which led to the registration of 751 FIRs related to the riots.
The accused have denied the charges and argued for bail on the grounds of prolonged incarceration and parity with other co-accused who were granted bail. They maintained that they merely organised protest sites and had no role in instigating violence.
Khalid, whose first bail plea was dismissed in 2022, approached the High Court once again in 2024. The matter is now scheduled for the next hearing on February 12.
The February 2020 Delhi riots remain one of the most contentious incidents in recent years, with allegations of conspiracy and counterclaims of biased investigations. The case continues to draw significant public and legal attention.
