Govt Tells Supreme Court 2020 Delhi Riots Were 'Attack on Sovereignty'
The Indian government strongly opposed the bail petitions of activist Umar Khalid and several others in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, arguing that the 2020 communal riots in Delhi were not spontaneous but a deliberate assault on the nation's sovereignty.
'Myth to be Busted' About Riots Being Spontaneous
Representing the Delhi Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria. He stated his intention to dispel what he called a prevailing myth. "I would like the myth to be busted that there was a protest and it resulted in communal riots," Mehta told the court. He characterized the violence as a calculated event, describing it as "a well-designed, well-crafted, well-orchestrated, preplanned, choreographed riot."
Emphasizing the gravity of the accusations, the Solicitor General asserted that the events constituted "an attack against the sovereignty of the nation." He pointed to statements made by the accused, which he claimed revealed a "clear and discernible attempt to divide the society on communal lines."
Statements by Accused Cited in Court
To substantiate the government's position, Mehta referenced specific comments allegedly made by co-accused Sharjeel Imam. He quoted Imam as having expressed a desire for a "chakka jam not just in Delhi but for every city where Muslims reside." The Solicitor General further elaborated that the accused had questioned why cities could still function despite a significant Muslim population and had spoken of Muslims uniting to "separate the entire northeast from the country."
"It is an attack on the sovereignty of the nation when you divide the countrymen on communal lines," Mehta contended. He also mentioned that one of the accused had challenged the authority of the court with a derogatory statement. The government's argument is that these were not mere protests by intellectuals exercising fundamental rights, but part of a larger, sinister conspiracy.
Bail Pleas and Trial Delays
The bail pleas being heard by the apex court were filed by nine individuals, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and others. This move came after the Delhi High Court rejected their bail applications 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 was also released on bail in March 2022.
The prosecution argued that the accused themselves were responsible for the slow pace of the trial. Solicitor General Mehta promised that the trial could be completed within six months if the accused cooperated. He claimed that the defense had spent excessive time arguing against the framing of charges, with some arguments lasting for months.
Additionally, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, also representing the Delhi Police, argued that Umar Khalid could not claim parity with those who had been granted bail. He contended that the High Court had erred in its interpretation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the earlier bail decisions.
