Delhi Riots UAPA Case: Court Summons Special Police Commissioner After Inspector Fails To Answer Query On Probe Status

A Delhi Court has summoned the Special Commissioner of Delhi Police’s Special Cell after an inspector failed to answer the judge about the status of investigation and filing of supplementary chargesheet in the larger conspiracy case connected to the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.

Noting that neither the Special Public Prosecutor nor the Investigating Officer were present before the court on May 24, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma Courts said:

“It has also been asked from the Inspector present about the status of investigation and filing of supplementary charge-sheet, as stated and ordered earlier. However, no answer is forthcoming. In these circumstances, the court is constrained to issue notice to Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) to appear in person on next date.”

The Delhi police has filed a total of four chargesheets in FIR 59/2020 which is being probed by the special cell. While the first chargesheet was filed on September 16, 2020, three supplementary chargesheets were filed on November 22, 2020, February 24, 2021 and March 02, 2022.

The accused are Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Isharat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar, Sharjeel Imam, Faizan Khan and Natasha Narwal.

The judge passed the order while taking up an application moved by the Delhi Police for de-sealing of certain exhibits for making copies.

The court adjourned the matter to June 09 and remanded all the accused persons to judicial custody.

The court also issued notice on the regular bail application moved by former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain.

“Let reply to the same be filed by the prosecution. Put up for filing of reply and arguments on this application on 09.06.2023,” the court said.