Delhi Police Allege Conspiracy to Overthrow Government in Riots Case, Sharjeel Imam’s Speeches Highlighted
The Delhi Police on Thursday continued to present arguments opposing the bail petitions of several individuals accused in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and Gulfisha Fatima. The case centers around allegations of a coordinated effort to instigate communal violence under the guise of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The ongoing legal battle, heard before a bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria, has seen authorities emphasize the severity of the charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju presented video clips of speeches delivered by Sharjeel Imam, a key accused in the case. According to the ASG, these clips contained provocative statements, including calls for “chakka-jams” – roadblocks – in all Indian cities, a demand for Muslims to unite and sever the “chicken neck” area connecting India to Assam, disrupting essential supplies to Delhi, and paralyzing the government. Imam also allegedly expressed distrust in the courts. When questioned by the bench, the ASG confirmed that these speeches were presented as evidence.
However, Siddharth Dave, representing Imam, countered that the clips were presented selectively, lacking the full context of the speeches. The ASG further argued, referencing WhatsApp messages from groups like the Delhi Protest Support Group (DPSG) and Jamia Awareness Campaign Team, that the accused aimed to “overthrow the Government” and engineer a “regime change” through violent riots, allegedly timed to coincide with the visit of then-US President Donald Trump.
A senior official described the accused as “anti-nationals and nuisances, who are donning the facade of intellectuals and activists.” This sentiment was reinforced by a claim that media attention, particularly from outlets like The New York Times, often surfaces whenever bail matters are considered, suggesting a coordinated effort to support those deemed “anti-nationals.”
The ASG also referenced statements from protected witnesses, but Justice Kumar inquired whether the court should evaluate the evidence’s correctness during a bail hearing. The ASG clarified that the court’s focus should be on establishing a prima facie case – sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation – rather than definitively proving the evidence’s accuracy.
The hearing is scheduled to resume Friday.
On Monday, the Delhi Police argued against granting Umar Khalid parity with co-accused Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, and Asif Iqbal Tanha, who were previously granted bail by the Delhi High Court. Authorities contend that the 2021 High Court order was based on a misinterpretation of the UAPA. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta previously argued that the public statements made by the accused demonstrated a pre-planned conspiracy to undermine India’s sovereignty.
The current legal proceedings stem from a September 2nd, 2023 judgment by the Delhi High Court, which denied bail to several of the accused, including Khalid, Imam, and Fatima. The petitioners have been in custody for over five years. They were prominent student activists involved in organizing protests against the CAA in 2019 and 2020.
The list of accused includes Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Isharat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Saleem Malik, Mohd. Saleem Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar (granted bail on humanitarian grounds due to pregnancy), Faizan Khan, and Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal (both granted bail).
The Special Leave Petitions are identified by the following case details:
- UMAR KHALID v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI | SLP(Crl) No. 14165/2025
- GULFISHA FATIMA v STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI ) | SLP(Crl) No. 13988/2025
- SHARJEEL IMAM v THE STATE NCT OF DELHI | SLP(Crl) No. 14030/2025
- MEERAN HAIDER v. THE STATE NCT OF DELHI | SLP(Crl) No./14132/2025
- SHIFA UR REHMAN v STATE OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY | SLP(Crl) No. 14859/2025
- MOHD SALEEM KHAN v STATE OF NCT OF DELHI | SLP(Crl) No. 15335/2025
- SHADAB AHMED v STATE OF NCT OF DELHI | SLP(Crl) No. 17055/2025
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