New Delhi – The Delhi Police has strongly opposed the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Supreme Court, arguing that the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots were a “pre-planned attack on the nation’s sovereignty” and not a spontaneous protest.
In a striking submission before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria on Thursday, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, made a broad claim regarding the misuse of professional skills for anti-national causes.
🎓 The ASG’s Argument
The ASG’s opposition centered on the nature of the protests and the background of the accused:
- ‘Anti-National’ Trend: ASG Raju contended, “Nowadays there is a trend that doctors, engineers are not doing their professions but engaging in anti-national activities.”
- Imam’s Background Cited: He specifically highlighted Sharjeel Imam’s background as an engineering graduate, suggesting that educated individuals were drifting towards anti-national activities.
- Riots as Pre-Planned Conspiracy: The Delhi Police maintained that the riots, which left 53 dead and over 700 injured during the anti-CAA/NRC protests, were a “well-designed, well-crafted, well-orchestrated, preplanned, choreographed riot.”
- Evidence Presented: Raju presented video clips of Imam’s speeches delivered in 2019 and 2020 to insist they were part of a plan for “violent protests” and discussions on “blockades,” which allegedly led to the violence.
- Trial Delay Blame: The ASG also argued that the accused could not benefit from the long delays in the trial, as the delays were “attributable to them” and their attempts to stall the framing of charges.
🔴 Context: The Red Fort Blast Probe
The ASG’s remarks about doctors engaging in anti-national activities come just days after a suicide bombing near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10th, which killed at least 12 people.
- Terror Module’s Links: The ensuing probe into the Pulwama–Faridabad terror module, suspected to be behind the attack, has uncovered that several members of the module are medical professionals, including the suspected suicide bomber, Dr. Umar Nabi.
- Wider Scrutiny: Investigating agencies (CBI, Delhi Police, NIA) have since widened their probe, seeking information from hospitals across the NCR about doctors who obtained medical degrees from countries like Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh, as they attempt to identify potential associates or sympathisers of the terror network.
The accused—Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, and Rehman—face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the 2020 riots conspiracy.