NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court has sternly warned the accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, including accused Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Tahir Hussain, Asif Iqbal, and Ishrat Jahan, not to delay the trial by seeking unnecessary adjournments. The court, while expressing its displeasure with the slow progress of the case, made it clear that any further delays would be taken seriously and would be viewed as an attempt to derail the trial process.
🚨 DELHI RIOT IMPORTANT UPDATE! THE COURT CALLS OUT UMAR KHALID, TAHIR HUSSAIN and OTHERS’ BLUFF.
The cat is out of the bag, finally. Umar Khalid, Tahir Hussain and others are deliberately delaying hearing on charges. First, the ones on bail, tried delaying arguments with… pic.twitter.com/0ZmLQVXnh3
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) October 5, 2024
In an order passed on October 4, 2024, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai noted that, during the previous hearing, it was decided that the arguments on the matter of charges would proceed on a day-to-day basis. Additionally, the defence counsels were to arrive at a consensus regarding the sequence in which they would present their arguments. However, during the recent hearing, none of the counsels were ready to proceed with their arguments, which drew the ire of the court.
Court Expresses Disappointment
“It is surprising that on the last date of hearing, the court specifically noted that the matter shall be heard on charges on a day-to-day basis. After considering the submissions of the learned counsel for the accused persons, they assured the court they would make a consensus among themselves for addressing arguments in a particular sequence. However, despite their consent, the counsel are still not ready to address arguments,” the court observed.
Judge Bajpai further expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of affairs, emphasizing that the court had provided more than enough time to the counsels to prepare their arguments, yet they were still not ready.
“The court sees that more than sufficient time was given, but still, the learned counsel for the accused persons are not ready today. The accused persons are warned that the matter should not get delayed further unnecessarily on their part, and any delay will be viewed seriously by the court,” the court’s order stated.
Accused Warned Against Delaying the Trial
The accused in the case include prominent activists and political figures such as Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Safoora Zargar, Natasha Narwal, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohd Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, and Faizan Khan. The Delhi Police have invoked stringent provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the accused, alleging their involvement in the conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots.
The court had started hearing arguments on the charges after the Delhi Police stated that their investigation concerning all the accused was complete. However, despite the commitment to proceed with the hearing on a day-to-day basis, delays have continued.
Counsel Seeks More Time
During the hearing on October 4, the counsel for Tahir Hussain sought additional time to review the materials related to the case, citing his recent engagement as Hussain’s legal representative. Hussain, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor, has been accused of being one of the key conspirators behind the violence that erupted in Northeast Delhi in 2020, resulting in significant loss of life and property.
Counsel for Asif Iqbal Tanha, another accused in the case, submitted that although she had initially agreed that all counsels would reach a consensus on the order in which arguments on charges would be addressed, she could not do so due to personal difficulties. However, she assured the court that Hussain’s counsel would begin the arguments on the next date of hearing, and she would follow thereafter without seeking any further adjournments.
The counsel for Umar Khalid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student and prominent activist, submitted that he would address the court once arguments on behalf of Tahir Hussain were completed. Sharjeel Imam’s lawyer also assured the court that if he was given reasonable time, he would not seek any further adjournments and would be prepared to present his arguments.
Ishrat Jahan’s counsel stated that he would address the court at the end of the proceedings, as Jahan’s role in the conspiracy was minimal.
Court Fixes Next Hearing for October 21
After hearing the submissions, the court expressed its disappointment with the current progress of the case and decided to post the matter for hearing on October 21 at 12:00 PM. The counsel for Tahir Hussain has been directed to commence the arguments on that date.
“It is again made clear that counsel for other accused persons should make themselves ready for their arguments as soon as the arguments on behalf of accused Tahir Hussain are finished. No adjournment will be granted to them on any ground,” the court stated.
Additionally, the court ordered that Tahir Hussain and co-accused Salim Khan be physically produced in court during the next hearing.
Stringent Provisions of UAPA Invoked
The case has garnered widespread attention, as the accused face serious charges under the UAPA, a law aimed at preventing unlawful activities and terrorist acts in India. The Delhi Police have accused the individuals of masterminding and orchestrating the communal violence that shook the national capital in 2020. The riots, which took place during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), led to the deaths of more than 50 people and widespread destruction of property.
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