Delhi Riots Larger Conspiracy Case: Justice Mridul-led Special Bench To Hear Bail Pleas Of Accused Daily From Next Week

A special bench of Delhi High Court on Monday decided to continue hearing the appeals moved by various accused in a case alleging larger conspiracy behind 2020 North-East riots. The court had last week said that it would see whether the appeals should be sent to the roster bench.

The bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar today began hearing the bail plea moved by United Against Hate (UAH) member Khalid Saifi.

The bench said that the bail pleas of the accused will be heard everyday from the next week in the post lunch session.

Justice Mridul told Senior Advocate Rebecca John appearing for Khalid Saifi: "At the outset, we would like to let you know that this bench will be hearing all the appeals. You (John) may begin today. But you will have to give us three days to organize our respective rosters."

The bench added: "We will hear you for a while today, then adjourn the case to Friday. Friday onwards, the bench will assemble everyday in the post lunch session."

Commencing arguments in the matter, John told court that she will be addressing individual allegations against Saifi while also referring to the observations made by the special judge in order denying him bail in the case.

John argued that the prosecution cannot rely only on messages on Delhi Protest Support Group (DPSG) WhatsApp group for furthering its case.

"They have to prove the case in totality and also the WhatsApp chats. They have to show if I've written anything, how much I've contributed….," John submitted.

Addressing the allegation related to messages in 'CAB' WhatsApp group, John said that there is nothing to show that Saifi is involved in any unlawful activity.

While adjourning the matter to Friday, the court directed Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad to place on record an electronic copy of the chargesheet.

The FIR 59/2020 being probed by Delhi Police's Special Cell invokes various charges under different provisions of Indian Penal Code as well as the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 against the accused persons.

The special bench, which recently rejected the bail plea of Umar Khalid, is seized of the pleas filed by other accused persons also who are also seeking bail in FIR 59/2020 being probed by Delhi Police's Special Cell.

The other accused who are seeking bail are Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Shifa ur Rehman and Salim Malik. The batch also includes an appeal filed by the Delhi Police seeking cancellation of bail of Ishrat Jahan.