Delhi HC seeks police response to Sharjeel Imam's bail plea in 2020 riots case

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from the Delhi Police on activist Sharjeel Imam's bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case.

A bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued notice on Imam's appeal against a trial court order dated July 4, which had rejected his second regular bail application. The matter has been listed for hearing on August 27, Scroll.in reported.

Imam, along with Umar Khalid and several other activists, was arrested between January and September 2020 in connection with the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020 during protests for and against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The violence left 53 people dead and hundreds injured, with most of the victims being Muslims.

The accused have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Arms Act and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the Delhi Police, the violence was part of a larger conspiracy to defame the Narendra Modi government and had been orchestrated by those who organised the anti-CAA protests.

During Friday's hearing, the High Court asked whether there had been any change in circumstances that would justify granting bail. Imam's counsel, Talib Mustafa, argued that the trial had seen little progress, stating that it remained at the same stage as it was seven months ago. He also submitted that arguments on framing charges had continued for more than 200 days.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju said a reply would be filed. When the court asked about the status of the protected witness, Raju said he did not believe the trial had commenced.

The High Court directed the Delhi Police to file its response within two weeks. It also noted that the Supreme Court had earlier allowed Imam to approach the courts again if there was a delay in the trial.

On July 4, a Delhi court had rejected the bail pleas of Imam and Khalid, with Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai observing that he was bound by the Supreme Court's January order refusing them bail.

The Supreme Court had, however, clarified that both Imam and Khalid could file fresh bail applications after all protected witnesses were examined or after one year, whichever was applicable.

However, the apex court granted bail to co-accused Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed and Muhammad Saleem Khan.