Judicial verdict tomorrow decides fate of Delhi riots accused individuals
Tomorrow marks a significant day for the Indian judiciary as the Supreme Court prepares to announce its verdict on the Delhi riots bail plea involving several high-profile activists. A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria will deliver the judgment on Monday, January 5, after having reserved their decision since December 10.
The case involves nine individuals, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, whose previous attempts at securing freedom were blocked by the Delhi High Court last September. At that time, the High Court described the February 2020 violence as a "premeditated and well-orchestrated conspiracy" rather than a spontaneous protest. While some accused individuals like Natasha Narwal and Ishrat Jahan received bail in previous years, these nine petitioners have remained in custody, leading them to seek relief from the highest court in the land.
During the hearings, a fierce legal battle unfolded between the Delhi Police and defense lawyers. The prosecution argued that the riots, which claimed 53 lives, were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy aimed at achieving a "regime change." They alleged that the violence was timed to coincide with President Donald Trump’s visit to India to garner international attention and paint the CAA protest riots as a targeted pogrom.
In response, senior advocates representing the accused dismissed these claims as baseless. Defense lawyer A.M. Singhvi pointed out that the "regime change" narrative was a new addition by the police, intended only to prejudice the court. Meanwhile, Kapil Sibal, representing Umar Khalid, emphasized that the police lacked evidence to prove Khalid instigated the violence. He noted that Khalid was not even in Delhi when the riots occurred, as he was in Maharashtra at the time.
As the Supreme Court Delhi riots case reaches this critical juncture, the trial itself remains in the early stages. With over 700 witnesses yet to be examined, a final conclusion to the trial appears far off. Tomorrow’s ruling will determine whether these individuals will wait for that trial from behind bars or as free citizens.
