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The Delhi High Court has denied bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others in a UAPA case over the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots.
A file photo of Umar Khalid (PTI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to JNU student leader Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam, facing prosecution in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case linked to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots.
The order was pronounced by a bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, which, on July 9, had reserved its order after hearing the arguments on behalf of the prosecution and various accused.
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The other accused include Athar Khan, Khalid Saifi, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima and Shadab Ahmed.
The prosecution had vehemently opposed the bail plea, saying it was not a case of spontaneous riots but a case where riots were planned well in advance with a sinister motive and well-thought-out conspiracy.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the prosecution, had contended that it was a conspiracy to defame India on a global level, and mere long incarceration is no ground for bail.
“If you do anything against your nation, you better be in jail till you are acquitted,” he had argued.
Sharjeel Imam’s counsel had earlier argued that he was “completely disconnected” with the place, time and co-accused persons, including Umar Khalid. His speeches and WhatsApp chats never called for any unrest, he had argued.
Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and several others were booked under the UAPA and provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which had left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.
The violence had erupted during the protests against the CAA and NRC.
Sharjeel Imam was arrested in the case on August 25, 2020. While challenging the trial court orders refusing bail, Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and others cited their long incarceration and parity with other co-accused who were granted bail.
Speeches by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and other accused created a sense of fear with their common pattern of reference to CAA-NRC, Babri mosque, triple talaq and Kashmir, police alleged.
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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