Delhi High Court grants bail to man accused in Jahangirpuri riots case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted bail to one Babuddin in connection with the Jahangirpuri riots 2022.

While granting bail Justice Yogesh Khanna observed that while the police called him the mob leader, CCTV footage showed that he was just standing there and not instigating the crowd.

“On further query, the APP on instructions submits one of the witnesses namely ASO Joginder who testified that Babuddin was allegedly leading the crowd. Though the State has taken various dates to bring on record various other CCTV footages to show this fact, they have not placed the same on record as yet,” the court noted.

Court also noted that Babuddin was in custody since April 27 and was no longer required for investigation as a charge sheet had already been filed against him.

The court granted Babuddin bail on the execution of a personal bond of Rs.20,000 with one surety of the same amount and ordered him to maintain peace in the area and not leave NCR without Trial Court’s permission.

On May 25, the Trial Court denied Babuddin bail stating that he had been identified based on CCTV footage and that investigation was ongoing.

The counsel for Babuddin contended before the Trial Court that he remained near his shop and home at the time of the incident.

It was further contended that the as per the police case the procession began in Jahangirpuri's EE Block and proceeded to A- Motors Mangal Bazar Road, then to Mahindra Park via various blocks, BJRM Hospital Road, K Block, BC Market, and Kushal Chowk.

Furthermore, it was contended by Babuddin's counsel that neither Babuddin’s shop/house nor the CCTV camera on which the prosecution relied fell in the path of the said procession. Thus, it was argued that the entire story about him was "fabricated" and "false".

Case Title: Babuddin v. State

[Inputs: The New Indian Express]