Delhi Court To Hear Arguments On Charge In 2020 Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case On July 7
A Delhi court will hear arguments on framing of charges in the 2020 North-East Delhi riots larger conspiracy case on July 7 at 12 noon, following a brief disruption due to an ongoing strike by lawyers at Karkardooma Court over the proposed digital court shift to Rouse Avenue.
The case pertains to the alleged orchestration of the 2020 communal violence that engulfed parts of the national capital, leaving 53 people dead and hundreds injured. The Delhi Police have invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against 18 accused persons, including student activist Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain.
Additional Session Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai was hearing the matter.
Today, proceedings were initially slated for 12 noon, but were pushed to 1 PM due to restricted court access caused by the strike.
However, during the resumed proceedings, Advocate Bilal Ahmed, appearing via video conferencing for one of the accused, informed the Bench that Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid would be leading arguments on behalf of the defence and was available on July 7 and 11.
Taking note of the availability, the Court agreed to list the matter for detailed hearing on July 7 at 12 noon.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad requested the Court to record in the order that other accused had no objection to the rescheduled date.
The case is currently at the stage of arguments on charge, with the prosecution alleging that the riots were the result of a “pre-planned conspiracy” linked to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The accused deny the allegations, maintaining that they were exercising their democratic right to dissent.
The matter is now set for a crucial hearing on July 7, where the Court will continue examining whether charges are to be framed against the accused under UAPA and other penal provisions.
Previously
On June 6, the Court noted that arguments would begin on July 2. “Considering the submissions of learned Special Prosecutors and counsels for the accused persons, the matter be put for arguments on charge on behalf of prosecution on 02.07.2025 at 12 noon,” the Court had stated.
Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad for the State had submitted that the prosecution will take approximately five days, on an average five hours per day, for concluding their arguments.
Counsels for the accused persons Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi, Tasleem, Safoora Zargar and Gulfisha, who had already advanced their arguments had told the Court that they will again start afresh, that too in a precise manner, so that the arguments on charge would be completed expeditiously.
The Court was also informed that the charge sheet runs over 17,000 pages, and given the volume, it was suggested that arguments begin after the summer vacation to maintain continuity. However, taking into account the right to a speedy trial and the time already elapsed, the judge fixed July 2 for commencement of arguments.
ASJ Lalit Kumar also observed that on the days the case is listed, no other major matter should be scheduled to ensure uninterrupted hearings.
Eighteen people, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain, were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the masterminds behind the 2020 communal riots that broke out in Delhi.
Case Title: State v. Tahir Hussain & Ors.