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Delhi Police Reveals 2020 Riots Aimed at Forcing Government Change

The Delhi Police has made a serious allegation that the 2020 riots were part of a conspiracy aimed at forcing a change in government. They've told the Supreme Court that in UAPA cases like this one, bail should be the exception rather than the rule. Meanwhile, the accused activists have already spent more than five years in jail without their trial being completed. The Supreme Court has expressed concern about this prolonged detention while also pushing for the case to move forward without further delays.

Key Points: Delhi Police Claims 2020 Riots Sought Regime Change in SC

  • Police claim violence was orchestrated to enforce government change through conspiracy
  • Accused activists have spent over five years in jail without trial
  • Supreme Court expresses concern over prolonged detention of the accused
  • Delhi Police argue petitioners themselves caused delays in legal proceedings
3 min read

2020 Delhi riots: Violence was aimed at forcing govt change, police tell SC

Delhi Police tells Supreme Court that 2020 riots conspiracy aimed at regime change, opposes bail for Umar Khalid and other activists after 5 years in jail.

"In offences that strike at the very root of the integrity of India UAPA offences, 'jail and not bail' is the rule. - Delhi Police affidavit"

New Delhi, Oct 30

As the Supreme Court is prepared to take up the bail petitions filed by student activists Umar Khalid and others in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case, an affidavit filed by the Delhi Police has claimed that the violence was aimed at enforcing a “regime change”.

In its 389-page affidavit filed on Thursday, the Delhi Police said, "In offences that strike at the very root of the integrity of India [UAPA offences], 'jail and not bail' is the rule."

"The allegations against the petitioner are prima facie true. The onus of refuting the said presumption rests with the petitioners, which they have miserably failed to discharge," it added.

The police opposed the grant of bail merely on the grounds of the delay in the trial. According to the Delhi Police, petitioners themselves were responsible for the delay in the matter.

On Monday, the Supreme Court up the Delhi Police for additional time to file its counter-affidavit in the bail petitions filed by student activists Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman, all accused in the 2020 Delhi riots "larger conspiracy" case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria made it clear that the matter should not be delayed further and posted it for hearing on Friday, directing the Delhi Police to file their counter-affidavits in the meantime.

At the outset, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, sought two weeks to file a response. However, the Justice Kumar-led Bench refused to accede to the request, observing that sufficient time had already been given.

"We have given you enough time. You may be appearing for the first time. Last time, we said issue notice and we said in open court that we will hear this matter on October 27 and dispose of it," the apex court remarked.

When ASG Raju pressed for at least one week, the Justice Kumar-led Bench was unmoved. "What is the question of a counter-affidavit in a bail matter?" it said.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioner side, opposed the plea for adjournment, highlighting that the accused had already spent over five years behind bars without trial.

"When the matter is about delay, there cannot be more delay," Singhvi argued.

"The petitioners have been in jail for more than five years," Sibal added, urging the top court to proceed with the hearing.

At this, Justice Kumar-led Bench remarked, "Mr Raju, examine if you can think of coming out with something... after all, it is a matter of bail... five years they have completed," Justice Kumar remarked.

"Let me have a look at it, but sometimes appearances can be deceptive," responded ASG Raju.

The petitioners have challenged the Delhi High Court's order denying them bail, which had held that there was prima facie material to suggest a conspiracy behind the 2020 riots.

The Supreme Court had issued notice to the Delhi Police on September 22. The February 2020 Delhi riots, which erupted amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), claimed 53 lives and left over 700 injured.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
If the police have evidence of conspiracy for regime change, they should present it in court quickly. Justice delayed is justice denied for both sides. The courts need to ensure proper procedure is followed.
S
Sarah B
As someone who lived through those riots in Delhi, the violence was terrifying. If there was a larger conspiracy, it needs to be properly investigated and proven in court, not just alleged in affidavits.
A
Aditya G
UAPA is being misused to keep people in jail indefinitely. The "jail not bail" approach goes against basic principles of justice. The Supreme Court should intervene strongly here. 🙏
V
Vikram M
The police affidavit makes serious allegations. If true, this was not just random violence but an attack on our democracy. However, evidence must be presented properly in court, not just in media statements.
K
Karthik V
Both sides have valid points - national security concerns vs. individual rights. But five years without trial is excessive. The courts must balance these competing interests properly. Hope justice prevails for all.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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