No evidence linking us to 2020 Delhi riots violence: Umar Khalid, others to SC

Activists Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, and Sharjeel Imam told the Supreme Court on Friday that their continued incarceration for over five years in the 2020 Delhi riots case amounted to “punishment without trial", asserting that no evidence connected them to the violence.

- MPOST BUREAU

A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria heard the bail pleas of the three activists along with Meeran Haider and Shifa-ur-Rehman. All five are accused in the larger conspiracy case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The accused have challenged the Delhi High Court's September 2 order that denied them bail, terming their roles “prima facie grave” and indicative of a coordinated conspiracy behind the riots, which left 53 dead and hundreds injured.

Appearing for Khalid, senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that while 751 FIRs were registered in connection with the riots, Khalid was named in only one. “There are 751 FIRs. I am charged in one. If it's a conspiracy and I am responsible for the riots, it’s a bit surprising,” he told the court.

Sibal said Khalid was not in Delhi when the violence broke out and that no weapons or incriminating material were recovered from him. “Not a single witness has stated that the accused was connected to any act of violence in northeast Delhi,” he added.

Referring to the High Court’s reliance on Khalid’s February 17, 2020 Amravati Speech, which it had termed inflammatory, Sibal argued that the address invoked Gandhian principles of non-violence and referenced the Constitution. "It is a public speech. I have said nothing about any acts of violence or instigating people" he said.