The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on bail pleas of activists Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and others facing prosecution in a UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots.
A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur reserved its order after hearing the arguments on behalf of the prosecution and various accused.
The prosecution vehemently opposed the bail plea, saying it was not a case of spontaneous riots but a case where riots were planned well in advance with a sinister motive and well-thought-out conspiracy.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the prosecution, contended that it was a conspiracy to defame India on a global level and mere long incarceration is no ground for bail.
“If you do anything against your nation, you better be in jail till you are acquitted,” he argued.
Imam’s counsel argued earlier that he was “completely disconnected” with the place, time and co-accused persons, including Umar Khalid. Imam’s speeches and WhatsApp chats never called for any unrest, he argued.
Umar Khalid, Imam and several others have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. The violence erupted during protests against the CAA and the NRC.