The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Athar Khan, a former call centre employee, in a case related to the 2020 Delhi riots under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Khan is accused of being one of the main organisers of the protest at Chand Bagh in northeast Delhi and allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches that incited violence.
Court's Reasoning
Justice Amit Mahajan, while rejecting the bail plea, observed that the allegations against Khan are serious in nature. The court noted that Khan was found to have been actively involved in the organisation of the protest and had allegedly made speeches that could have provoked the crowd, leading to the riots that claimed over 50 lives and injured hundreds.
Prosecution's Case
The prosecution argued that Khan was a key conspirator who coordinated with other accused persons to mobilise a large gathering at Chand Bagh. They presented evidence including video footage and witness statements indicating Khan's presence at the protest site and his role in delivering incendiary remarks. The investigating agency also claimed that Khan was part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt public order.
Defence Arguments
Khan's counsel contended that his client was falsely implicated and that the speeches attributed to him were taken out of context. They argued that Khan had no criminal antecedents and was merely exercising his right to peaceful protest. The defence also highlighted the delay in the trial, stating that Khan had been in custody since March 2020 and deserved bail on grounds of prolonged incarceration.
Impact and Next Steps
With the denial of bail, Khan will remain in judicial custody as the trial progresses. The case is part of a larger investigation into the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi, which were triggered by clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Several other accused have also been denied bail in similar cases under the UAPA. The trial is expected to continue with further hearings scheduled for later this month.
