Delhi High Court listed the matter for rebuttal arguments for February 20.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Delhi Police have concluded their arguments in Delhi High Court opposing the bail plea of Umar Khalid and other accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. The court has now scheduled February 20 for the defence to present their rebuttal to the charges.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing the government, argued that while an immediate hearing is necessary, bail should not be granted without careful consideration. “The interest of society must be prioritised over the individual,” Sharma stated. He cited previous legal rulings to support his argument, stressing that delays in the trial should not be the sole reason for granting bail, particularly in complex cases.
Sharma further claimed that the accused are linked to international terrorist activities, making bail inappropriate. “When evidence points to involvement in such serious activities, bail should not be granted,” he said. He urged the court to examine all First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the case to understand the full scope of the allegations.
In response, the defence lawyers argued that the prolonged delay in the trial should be a key factor in the court’s decision. They criticised the prosecution for what they called “piecemeal orders” and urged the court to address the overall delay in proceedings.
The case stems from the 2020 Delhi riots, which left 53 people dead and hundreds injured. Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Tahir Hussain, Shifa ur Rehman, and others are accused of conspiring to incite the violence. Charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), all accused remain in jail as the legal battle continues.
Supporters of the accused maintain their innocence, claiming they are being unfairly targeted. “This is a clear case of oppression by the government,” said a close associate of one of the accused, speaking on condition of anonymity. “They are punishing dissent under the guise of maintaining order.”