Delhi Riots ‘Larger Conspiracy’: SC To Consider Police Arguments On UAPA Accused

The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume its hearing on Tuesday on the bail pleas filed by student leaders Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, and several other activists accused of involvement in the alleged ‘larger conspiracy’ behind the 2020 North East Delhi riots.

All the accused remain in custody under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a law known for its stringent bail conditions.

As per the causelist published on the Supreme Court’s website, a Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria will hear the submissions of the Delhi Police regarding the case.

In a detailed counter-affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police strongly opposed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

The affidavit claims that both activists premeditated and meticulously coordinated the alleged conspiracy that culminated in the February 2020 riots.

According to the Delhi Police, chats, call records, and witness statements tracing their activities since December 2019 establish that Umar Khalid acted as a ‘key conspirator’ and mentor, helping mobilise students, build protest networks, and choose demonstration sites that later witnessed violence.

Alleged Plan Timed with Trump’s Visit

The police further asserted that the accused planned the alleged conspiracy to coincide with US President Donald Trump’s visit to India.

They claimed the plan aimed to draw international media attention and portray the anti-CAA protests as a global human rights issue.

According to the affidavit, the conspirators deliberately chose the CAA as a ‘radicalising catalyst’ and presented the protests as peaceful while allegedly using them to incite unrest.

The affidavit described Sharjeel Imam as ‘a top conspirator under the tutelage of Umar Khalid’, alleging that he orchestrated the first phase of the protest mobilisation between 13 and 20 December 2019.

This phase, according to the police, laid the groundwork for the violence that broke out in February 2020.

Previous Bail Rejections

Earlier, the Delhi High Court dismissed the bail pleas of both Imam and Khalid, as well as those of other accused in the alleged conspiracy.

The court upheld the invocation of UAPA, stressing the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence presented.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the bail pleas will play a key role in determining the course of one of the most significant cases linked to the 2020 Delhi riots.

Today’s hearing will allow the Delhi Police to present their full set of arguments before the Bench.

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