2020 Delhi Riots Case: Umar Khalid Denies Conspiracy, Calls Meetings ‘Open, Peaceful and Lawful’ in Court

Khalid, who remains in judicial custody under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), made these submissions before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai, who is presently hearing arguments on the framing of charges in the 2020 riots larger conspiracy case.

The submissions came a day after the Supreme Court had questioned the Delhi Police for failing to file a response to the bail pleas of Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and other accused persons despite repeated opportunities.

Appearing for Khalid, Senior Advocate Trideep Pais argued that the prosecution’s narrative of “secret meetings” did not stand scrutiny when compared with the evidence on record. “One of the protected witnesses, Sierra, told police that secret meetings were held between January 21 and 23. But pictures from the meeting were uploaded on the Facebook profile of one of the attendees. How is that secret?” Pais contended.

He pointed out that the photographs clearly showed Umar Khalid and co-accused Gulfisha Fatima participating in the discussions, which were attended by several activists and students. “These meetings were held to openly discuss peaceful protests against the CAA Bill. There was neither criminality nor any incitement in those discussions,” Pais submitted.

He further questioned the Delhi Police’s description of Khalid as a “silent whisper” behind the violence, saying the label was contradicted by video evidence of the student leader’s public speeches. “He was speaking openly, addressing crowds, denouncing violence. How can a person described as a ‘silent whisper’ be doing that in front of witnesses?” he asked.

Referring to witness statements that claimed Khalid and Fatima gave “inciteful speeches,” Pais said such allegations were vague and unsupported by material evidence. “The witness has not stated what the speech was about, except calling it inciteful. My client’s name does not appear in any FIR related to murder or vandalism during the riots,” he said.

Pais concluded that Khalid’s continued incarceration was based on a “misreading of facts and motives”, asserting that his client’s role was confined to lawful, democratic protest.

The Court will continue hearing arguments on behalf of Umar Khalid on Wednesday, i.e. October 29.

Previously, Khalid had argued that the case is built entirely on delayed witness statements and not a shred of physical evidence.

The Delhi High Court, on September 2, denied bail to Khalid, observing that the role attributed to him and co-accused Sharjeel Imam appeared “grave.” Khalid has challenged the denial of bail before the Supreme Court, which will hear the matter on October 27.

While denying bail, the Delhi High Court had observed that “violence in the name of protest is not free speech” as it dismissed the bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and seven others in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.

Besides Khalid, there are nearly seventeen accused in the case. Delhi Police’s Special Cell had registered FIR 59 of 2020, naming several individuals including, Sharjeel Imam, Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman. The accused have been charged under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, rioting, and murder.

The case stems from the violence that erupted in Northeast Delhi in 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The clashes between supporters and opponents of the Act led to large-scale incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and violence, leaving 53 people dead and injuring thousands.

Hearing Date: October 28, 2025

Bench: Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai

[Inputs: HT]