Riots 2020: Delhi HC Reserves Order on Devangana Kalita’s Plea to Preserve Case Diary
Kalita has been accused of engaging in a "larger conspiracy" to incite violence and riots in the guise of a protest against the CAA and the NRC under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA);
The Delhi High Court on Monday, July 7, 2025, reserved its order on a petition filed by Devangana Kalita, an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case, seeking preservation and reconstruction of the case diary pertaining to the investigation.
A bench presided over by Justice Ravinder Dudeja reserved the verdict after briefly hearing the counsels appearing for Kalita and the Delhi Police.
Justice Dudeja remarked, "Arguments heard. Reserved for order."
Notably, Kalita had approached the High Court challenging a November 6, 2024, order of the magistrate court, which had dismissed her request for preservation of the case diary related to a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Jafrabad Police Station.
The trial court had observed that although the allegations of 'antedating CrPC Section 161 statements might raise doubts' about the investigative agency’s version, the court was not empowered to assess 'the truth or veracity' of such claims at that stage, and advised her to raise the issue at an appropriate stage.
In November last year, the High Court had issued notice on her plea, directing the Delhi Police to file a status report.
During the hearing today, Advocate Adit S. Pujari, appearing for Kalita, argued that the police had inserted “antedated” statements into the case diary and sought a direction to reconstruct and preserve the relevant volumes.
Pujari alleged that during the stage of framing of charges in the Jafrabad FIR case, the police introduced antedated statements in the diary claiming Kalita was involved in “dhakka-mukki” (scuffle) with police personnel.
On the other hand, the Delhi Police opposed the plea and said that the directions sought would further delay the investigation.
Kalita has been accused of being part of a “larger conspiracy” to incite violence and riots under the guise of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and has been booked under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In June 2021, the Delhi High Court granted her bail along with co-accused Asif Iqbal Tanha and Natasha Narwal.
The violence in Northeast Delhi broke out during anti-CAA protests, leading to widespread clashes between supporters and opponents of the Act. Several incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and violent protests were reported, resulting in significant loss of life and property.