New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday will continue hearing the Delhi Police’s arguments opposing bail for student leaders accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots case.
During the previous hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, told the court that the 2020 violence was not an abrupt communal clash, but a “deliberate, coordinated and pre-planned conspiracy aimed at attacking India’s national sovereignty.”
SC Bench to Hear Police Arguments
According to the Supreme Court’s cause list, a Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria will hear the police submissions today as the matter involves bail pleas filed by student activists Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima and Shifa-ur-Rehman, all booked under stringent provisions of the UAPA.
“Not a Spontaneous Riot, But a Planned Conspiracy”
In the last hearing, SG Mehta said that a misleading narrative had been circulated that the violence stemmed from a simple protest.
“I want to break this myth,” he told the court. “This was not an artificial or sudden riot — it was pre-designed, and the evidence will show it.”
He cited speeches, WhatsApp chats and other digital material allegedly demonstrating attempts to communalise the atmosphere and incite violence.
Videos Presented Before the Court
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the prosecution, presented videos of Sharjeel Imam’s speeches and visuals from the riot scenes. He argued that the evidence points to a “well-thought-out and coordinated conspiracy.”
He noted that more than 150 sensitive videos had been examined during the investigation.
Umar Khalid Described as ‘Key Conspirator’
In its counter-affidavit, the Delhi Police described Umar Khalid as the “main conspirator”, alleging that the planning was timed to coincide with former US President Donald Trump’s visit to India to attract global attention.
The affidavit also stated that the accused intended to portray the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an act of “collective persecution” against Muslims to create an international outcry.
The police claimed the issue was deliberately chosen to radicalise crowds under the guise of peaceful protest.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had denied bail to all accused, prompting them to approach the Supreme Court.
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