2020 Riots: HC Seeks Delhi Police Reply on Accused’s Discharge Plea in Constable Ratan Lal Murder Case

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the police on a plea filed by riot accused Mohd. Khalid, who is seeking discharge in the 2020 case involving the murder of Head Constable Ratan Lal during the northeast Delhi violence.

A bench presided over by Justice Shalinder Kaur said, “Issue notice. The learned SPP for the State accepts notice and seeks time to file a reply. He also reserves his right to address arguments on maintainability.”

Notably, the instant petition has been filed by the petitioner under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, challenging the order passed by the trial court.

The trial court had framed charges against him for offences punishable under Sections 120B read with Sections 148,186,188, 302, 323, 325, 332, 333, 353, 427, 435 of the, 1860 IPC, and under Section 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, read with Sections 120B, 149 IPC and under Section 188 IPC.

Advocates Sikander, Mohd. Hasan and Heema appeared for Mohd. Khalid.

Larger Conspiracy Case

Delhi Police's Special Cell registered FIR 59 of 2020 against eighteen accused in the case, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-ur-Rehman, and others.

The accused persons were booked under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), as well as various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, rioting, and murder.

The case stemmed from the violence that broke out in Northeast Delhi in 2020 during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, which followed widespread clashes between the supporters and opponents of the Act.

Several incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and violent protests were reported, which had left nearly 53 dead and injured thousands.

It is the prosecution's case that the violence that engulfed the streets of Delhi was not spontaneous in nature but a pre-planned act intended to destabilise the Indian government during an already sensitive political time.

Case Title: Mohd Khalid vs State Govt. of NCT of Delhi

Order Date: July 14, 2025

Bench: . Justice Shalinder Kaur