The Supreme Court is hearing the bail pleas filed by Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Shifa Ur Rehman in connection with the larger conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in relation to the 2020 North East Delhi riots.
Khalid and others had moved the Supreme Court in appeal against the Delhi High Court's September 2 order by which they were denied bail.
The riots occurred in February 2020 following clashes over the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As per the Delhi Police, the riots caused the death of 53 persons and injured hundreds.
The present case pertains to allegations that the accused had hatched a larger conspiracy to cause multiple riots.
Most of the accused were booked in multiple FIRs, leading to multiple bail petitions before different courts. Most have been in custody since 2020.
Live updates from the hearing today feature here.
Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra appears for accused Shadab Ahmed: He is the accused no. 9 arrested in May 2020, when he was in custody in FIR 60 of 2020. In this, he was granted on bail on 3 September, 2021 and FIR 136, he was granted bail on 21 Dec...he is 27 yrs old and working as supervisor at NDS Enterprises Jagathpuri since 2016. Arguments on charge are going on but for me the arguments are over and no delay on my part. In UAPA case the distinction of Gurvinder Singh will not apply here.
ASG Raju: Please read the later part as well
Sr Adv Luthra: Of course I will. I have learnt from you. 20 years ago, I used to assist my senior.
Luthra: Witnesses 'Radium' and 'Sodium' were introduced in the fourth chargesheet.
Luthra: Lots of chats on record and I am not in those chats.
Justice Aravind Kumar: Why do you call it chakka jam?
Luthra: It means to stop the wheels of traffic. Those of us who were in Delhi University...we know it. It's a very used word which is very colloquial.
Justice Kumar: In Ahmedabad, Manik Chowk market opens at night famous for chaats...Place where four roads meet...
Luthra concludes submissions.
Justice Kumar: So the petitioner side is over. Ld SG and ASG to argue. List on Monday, 2 pm.
ASG: I am in a matter on Monday.
Court: Ok list on Tuesday.