New Delhi: Former JNU student leader Umar Khalid was named an accused in the 2020 North-East Delhi riots larger conspiracy case merely for being part of a WhatsApp group, his counsel told the Karkardooma Court on Thursday. His lawyer argued that others who attended the same meeting were not named as accused by the Delhi Police.
These arguments were presented during the ongoing hearing on the framing of charges.
Khalid has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the 2020 riots.
After hearing the submissions, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai listed the matter for further arguments on October 14.
During Thursday’s hearing, Senior Advocate Tridip Pais, representing Khalid, contended that the police had made his client an accused solely because of his membership in a WhatsApp group. “Other individuals similarly placed have not been made accused,” Pais argued, citing a media report that mentioned several others who attended the same meeting allegedly linked to the conspiracy but were not charged.
He further submitted that Khalid had, in fact, urged others to de-escalate tensions and avoid protests, adding that he had no control over others’ actions.
On Wednesday, Pais had argued that Khalid was not present at the alleged “main conspiratorial meeting” held on January 8, 2020, which, according to the police, was central to planning the riots. He pointed out that an analysis of call detail records (CDRs) showed that Khalid and others accused were not at the location of the meeting.
Pais also noted that there had been no recovery from Khalid and no evidence of him receiving or raising funds for any unlawful activities.
Referring to the statement of a protected witness (code-named Saturn), Pais said the witness claimed the meeting took place on January 8, but Khalid was interrogated only on May 21 and his statement recorded months later, on September 27, after his arrest.
While the Delhi Police have already made their submissions on framing charges, the defence arguments are currently underway. The case involves 18 accused persons, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Tahir Hussain, Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, Gulfisha Fatima, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Safoora Zargar, Khalid Saifi, Meeran Haider, Athar Khan, Shifa-ur-Rehman, and others.
