Delhi riots planned with sinister move, says SG Mehta in high court

Delhi 2020 riots case hearing underway in Delhi High Court

During the hearing of the 2020 Delhi riots case in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, Solicitor General (SG) said that the riots were planned with a sinister move.

Mehta said there is an attempt to divide the country on religious lines and that it is not simply a case of rioting, as per News18. He told the court that the Delhi riots were a conspiracy to defame India on a global level.

While opposing bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and other accused in the riots "larger conspiracy" case before the Delhi High Court, Mehta said, "If you are doing something against the nation, then you better be in jail till you are acquitted or convicted."

After hearing the matter for some the court reserved its verdict in bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Khalid Saifi and Gulfisha Fatima. It has kept the bail plea of Shadab Ahmed on Thursday at 4pm for further hearing, LiveLaw reported.

The Solicitor General appeared on behalf of the Delhi Police before a division bench of Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur. He termed the probe in the case as one of the "finest investigations" which had been carried out.

Mehta said the riots were pre planned, well organized and with the view to achieve a sinister goal which by itself is an example which would disqualify them from seeking any relief of bail.

"It is not just a case of bail in regular riots cases, it is a very well thought, well orchestrated criminal conspiracy which starts in the capital of the country aiming at a particular day and time," Mehta is quoted as saying to LiveLaw. 

Mehta said the accused persons' intention was to have an all India impact and to globally defame the nation by choosing a particular day for more rioting and more arson.

Referring to a purported speeches made by Sharjeel Imam in the context of Assam, Mehta said, "This is dividing the nation permanently, based on religious lines".

Mehta said this is not a riots case where someone can say it is long incarceration and I should get bail. "This is preparing for dividing the nation, cutting the nation based on a particular religion."

The high court has reserved its verdict on the bail pleas of all accused except Shadab Ahmed and listed his plea tomorrow. It has allowed the parties to file written submissions within three days.

The bench has also asked Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad, appearing for Delhi Police, to address arguments specifically on Ahmed's contentions that he has been granted bail in another FIR against him and that there are contradictions in statements of protected witnesses, the report says.