The Supreme Court of India is currently examining crucial bail applications in the high-profile February 2020 northeast Delhi riots case, with Delhi Police making startling claims about educated professionals allegedly involved in anti-national activities.
Controversial Police Submission in Court
During Thursday's hearing before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing Delhi Police, made a significant statement that has drawn widespread attention. The police counsel asserted that there is a growing trend where doctors and engineers are abandoning their professions to participate in anti-national activities.
This controversial submission was made while opposing the bail pleas of prominent accused individuals including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The hearing forms part of the ongoing legal proceedings concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the communal violence that rocked the national capital in February 2020.
Evidentiary Claims and Defense Arguments
To substantiate their allegations, Delhi Police presented videos showing Sharjeel Imam delivering what they described as inflammatory speeches against the Citizenship Amendment Act. This evidence was presented to support their contention that the riots were not spontaneous but part of a carefully orchestrated plan.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, also representing Delhi Police, had previously argued that the violence represented a well-designed and preplanned attack against national sovereignty. He emphasized that statements made by the accused showed a clear attempt to divide society along communal lines.
However, the defense counsel presented strong counter-arguments. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Umar Khalid, pointed out several crucial facts challenging the conspiracy theory. Khalid was not present in Delhi when the riots occurred, and no weapons, arms, acid, or any incriminating material were recovered from him or at his instance.
Legal Proceedings and Accused Status
The current Supreme Court hearing involves bail applications from nine accused persons: Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa-ur-Rehman, and Shadab Ahmed. These individuals approached the apex court after the Delhi High Court rejected their bail pleas on September 2.
In contrast, three other accused - Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha - were granted bail by the High Court in June 2021. Former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan received bail in March 2022, highlighting the varying outcomes in what authorities describe as a connected conspiracy case.
Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the Delhi riots that resulted in 53 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The legal battle continues as the Supreme Court carefully examines the evidence and arguments from both sides.
