2020 Delhi Riots Bail Hearing: ASG Says ‘Educated Minds Radically More Dangerous’ Than Ground-Level Actors

The Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria heard ASG Raju resume submissions on behalf of the Delhi Police, opposing the bail pleas.

At the outset, the Bench asked the ASG to conclude within 30–45 minutes due to a heavy board. Raju responded that the nature of evidence required detailed presentation, prompting the bench to suggest that remaining points could be placed in writing.

ASG argued that the “new trend” of highly educated individuals allegedly using professional credibility to further extremist causes. Referring to Sharjeel Imam’s background, Raju said: “He is an engineer. Now the trend has become that doctors, engineers, intellectuals are not doing their professions but engaging in anti-national activities.”

He argued that the narrative of Imam and others being “educated scholars” unfairly targeted by the state was misleading, and that those who intellectually guide violence are “far more dangerous” than ground-level actors.

During the hearing, the Court was shown several videos of Imam’s speeches, including remarks urging disruption of supplies to Delhi, comments on the Article 370 and Ayodhya verdict, Triple Talaq, and a controversial reference to separating Assam by blocking the “Chicken Neck” corridor.

Justice Kumar asked whether the material was part of the chargesheet, to which the ASG confirmed that it was.

The ASG also submitted that the protests were not merely agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act but part of an orchestrated conspiracy timed with the visit of then US President Donald Trump. He noted that the violence led to 53 deaths and extensive damage, allegedly supported through organised WhatsApp groups such as the Muslim Students of JNU (MSJ) and the Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC).

On delays in trial, Raju argued that most adjournments were sought by the accused, and that the prosecution’s progress should not become grounds for bail at this stage. When questioned on merits, Raju said that at the bail stage, the court only needed to see whether evidence exists, not whether it is ultimately reliable.

The Bench will continue hearing the matter on November 21, anytime after 12:30 pm, with the ASG’s submissions set to resume.

Earlier, this week, Opposing the bail pleas, Solicitor General Mehta had launched a sharp attack on what he described as “myths” surrounding the riots. “This was not a spontaneous riot. It was a well-designed, well-crafted, well-orchestrated, pre-planned and well-choreographed riot,” he told the Bench, adding that the violence amounted to “an attack on the sovereignty of the nation.”

On November 3, the six UAPA accused, concluded their arguments before the Court in their pleas seeking bail.

In a detailed affidavit filed before the Court, the Delhi Police has accused Sharjeel Imam of being a “key conspirator” in the 2020 Delhi riots, allegedly acting under the directions of Umar Khalid and other senior planners. The police has also described the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as part of a “regime change operation,” asserting that the conspiracy was timed to coincide with the visit of then U.S. President Donald Trump to draw international attention.