NEW DELHI, Dec 10: The Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that activist Sharjeel Imam’s speeches can be attributed to other accused and used as evidence in the February 2020 Delhi riots case.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju argued that acts of one conspirator can be imputed to others, citing Imam’s speeches as relevant to Umar Khalid.
He alleged Khalid planned to leave Delhi before the riots to avoid responsibility and contested claims that Khalid was not an administrator of a WhatsApp group linked to the violence.
The SC has reserved its judgment and asked parties to submit written arguments by December 18.
Imam’s lawyers sought bail, arguing he was arrested before the riots and that his speeches alone do not constitute criminal conspiracy. Imam protested being called a “dangerous intellectual terrorist” without a conviction. Khalid’s counsel said he was not in Delhi during the violence, while Gulfisha Fatima’s lawyer criticized prolonged pre-trial detention.
Delhi Police opposed bail, calling the riots a premeditated attack on India’s sovereignty. The accused—including Imam, Khalid, Fatima, Meeran Haider, and Shifa Ur Rehman—face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC provisions for allegedly orchestrating the riots that killed 53 and injured over 700 during anti-CAA/NRC protests.
The case challenges the Delhi High Court’s September 2 order denying bail in the larger conspiracy case. (PTI)
Sharjeel Imam’s speeches implicate other Delhi riots accused, police tells SC
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