The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the bail pleas filed by seven accused in the 2020 north-east Delhi riots, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, in a larger conspiracy case filed by the Delhi Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
A bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and NV Anjari asked both the parties – lawyers representing the petitioners and lawyers representing Delhi Police – to file a convenient compilation by December 18, which would include all the material presented in the court during the hearing.
During today’s hearing, Delhi Police completed its arguments challenging the bail pleas of all the seven accused. Delhi Police’s counter arguments were in response to the arguments given by all the seven accused during the last hearing in the apex court. The apex court has reserved its verdict in the matter and will probably pronounce its verdict after December 18.
During today’s hearing, Delhi Police completed its arguments challenging the bail pleas of all the seven accused. Delhi Police’s counter arguments were in response to the arguments given by all the seven accused during the previous hearing in the top court.
The top court has reserved its verdict in this case and it will probably be pronounced after December 18. On November 21, Delhi Police had informed the Supreme Court that the trial of several accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case is likely to end within two years.
This clarification by Delhi Police came during its arguments opposing the bail pleas of Khalid, Imam and five others, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. After hearing certain arguments presented by Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) SV Raju, a bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and NV Anjari had fixed the case for hearing on November 24.
ASG Raju informed that the preliminary charge sheet against the accused was filed on September 16, 2020 and the supplementary charge sheet was filed on November 22, 2020. The ASG also said that according to Section 16(1)(A) of the UAPA, whoever commits a terrorist act can be punished, and this provision provides for a minimum punishment of five years which may extend to life imprisonment.