[Delhi Riots] No Iota Of Evidence Showing Involvement In Conspiracy: Ishrat Jahan Tells Delhi Court In Bail Hearing

Former Congress Councillor Ishrat Jahan has told a Delhi Court on Friday that there is no iota of evidence to show her involvement in the Delhi Riots larger conspiracy case and that the prosecution has falsely implicated her in the matter.

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat was hearing a bail plea moved by Ishrat Jahan in FIR 59/2020 which alleges a larger conspiracy in the Delhi Riots that happened last year.

FIR 59/2020 contains stringent charges including Sections 13, 16, 17, 18 of the UAPA, Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act and Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act,1984 and other offences under Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Advocate Pradeep Teotia appearing on behalf of Ishrat Jahan began his submission by showing the financial transactions made by Jahan in the year 2019, which have been alleged by the prosecution to be incriminating in relation to the alleged conspiracy.

Clarifying the sources of such transactions, Teotia also went ahead to highlight certain factors which lead to wrongful convictions.

"They have not shown anything in totality. Their intent is to falsely implicate me in the case. This is wrong. This is a case involving stringent charges. There's no evidence against me," Teotia submitted.

Highlighting Jahan's credentials, Teotia added, 

"They have created a fear amongst people. She has been a lawyer. She was a young political person. She has a brilliant acumen. I was victorious from a ward where Muslims were less in number. Both the sects had given vote to her. No Muslim had even won from the said ward."

"She was a popular lady. They have no single iota of evidence regarding her involvement in the conspiracy. There has to be something."

It was also submitted that Jahan's case is on a better footing than the other co accused persons who have been granted bail in the matter.

"I challenge the Prosecution to show how I'm prosecuted under UAPA." Teotia submitted while concluding his submissions on behalf of Ishrat Jahan.

The Court has now fixed the matter for August 2 wherein Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad will begin his rebuttal in the bail plea.

Others who were charge-sheeted in FIR 59/2020 include Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain, Jamia Coordination Committee members Safoora Zargar, Meeran Haider and Shifa-Ur-Rehman, activist Khalid Saifi, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Salim Malik, Mohd Salim Khan and Athar Khan.

A supplementary chargesheet was thereafter filed in the case against former JNU student leader Umar Khalid and JNU student Sharjeel Imam.