2020 Delhi Riots a ‘Pre-Planned Assault on Sovereignty’, Not a Protest Gone Wrong: SG Tushar Mehta tells SC

The Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria took up the matter, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for the Delhi Police.

Opposing the bail pleas, Solicitor General Mehta 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.”

Mehta argued that a misleading public narrative was built through media and social media, but the evidence revealed a coordinated attempt to divide communities. Citing speeches, WhatsApp groups and alleged calls for disruption, he said: “There was a systematic effort to divide society on communal lines. It was not a mere agitation against a government act.”

Referring specifically to accused Sharjeel Imam, Mehta said his statements went beyond Delhi-centric protests, claiming Imam spoke of uniting Muslims to “separate the Northeast from India.”

Addressing concerns about delays in the trial, the Solicitor General asserted that the accused “are responsible for the delay,” stating that arguments opposing framing of charges ran for days and in some cases months. “We are ready to complete the trial within six months, the moment they cooperate,” he submitted.

Following Mehta’s submissions, ASG SV Raju began arguments for the Delhi Police. He stated that the accused had not addressed the merits of the case and reiterated that successive bail applications require a change in circumstances. When the Bench asked about the minimum punishment under the relevant offences, Raju confirmed it ranges from five years to life imprisonment.

The hearing concluded for the day. The Supreme Court will resume proceedings on November 20, with ASG Raju continuing submissions on behalf of the Delhi Police.

Previously, on November 3, the six UAPA accused in the 2020 Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, concluded their arguments before the Court in their pleas seeking bail.

On October 31, the Court was informed, “I called for ‘chakka jam’, protest against the CAA Bill that was being introduced. My speeches were of two months prior to the riots,” by Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave had said, clarifying that Imam’s speeches were limited to civil protest.

In a detailed affidavit filed before the Supreme 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.