The Delhi Police on Friday told the Supreme Court that the six accused persons in the larger conspiracy case connected to Delhi riots of 2020 wanted a to effect a regime change in the country though riots like in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for Delhi Police, told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria that the accused persons have scant regard for Constitution and they carried sticks, acid bottles, firearms when protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The Court was hearing the bail pleas filed by accused Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed and Mohd Saleem Khan."Conspiracy to commit murder, terrorist attack made out. Large scale violence. The larger purpose was regime change. All those who went for the so called dharna carried sticks, acid bottles, firearms weee used. The systematic plan was to have a regime change riot like it happened in Bangladesh or Nepal. This was the extent of the conspiracy. These were people who have scant regard to the constitution. Since 43(d)(5) is covered this is not a case for bail," Raju contended.
He also said that bail cannot be granted citing delay in trial since the delay has been due to the accused and not the prosecution. "I have already said why they can’t be granted on parity and delay. I can finish the trial in 2 years if they cooperate," he submitted. Raju concluded his arguments today. The accused persons will begin their rejoinder arguments on November 24. Khalid and others moved the top court against the Delhi High Court's September 2 order denying them bail. The top court had issued notice to the police on September 22.
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. The FIR in this case was registered by a Special Cell of the Delhi Police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the UAPA. Most have been in custody since 2020.In response to present petitions seeking bail, the Delhi Police has filed a 389-page affidavit detailing why the accused should not be granted bail.
The Police claimed irrefutable documentary as well as technical evidence that pointed to a conspiracy for a "regime-change operation" and plans to incite nationwide riots on communal lines and kill non-Muslims. When the matter was heard on November 3, accused Meeran Haider told the Court that he had specifically objected to having Sharjeel Imam at the protests sites during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act movement in 2020.
In response, Delhi Police has argued that the six accused cannot seek parity with the three other accused who were granted bail earlier by the Delhi High Court. On November 18, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta that the riots were pre-planned and not spontaneous. He added that speeches made by accused were with the intent to divide society on communal lines.
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