Former JNU Students Union leader Umar Khalid and United Against Hate member Khalid Saifi were among five people, who were discharged by a local court on Saturday in connection with the riots that took place in the national capital in February, 2020.
However, Additional Sessions Judge at Karkardooma Court Pulastya Pramachala, framed charges against former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain, Liyakat Ali, Riyasat Ali, Shah Alam, Mohd Shadab, Mohd Abid, Rashid Saifi, Gulfam, Arshad Qayyum, Irshad Ahmad and Mohd Rihan in relation to FIR 116/2020.
Charges have been framed against the accused under Sections 120B, 147, 148, 188, 153A, 323, 395, 435, 436, 454 of IPC.
The order related to Khalid Saifi, Umar and three others was pronounced in FIR 101/2020 registered at Police Station Khajuri Khas.
The ASJ ordered Tariq Moin Rizvi, Jagar Khan, Mohd Illiyas, Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid to furnish a bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety in the like amount under Section 437-A Cr.P.C. It further directed that a copy of order be sent to the Jail Superintendent concerned for intimation to the accused.
Umar and Saifi were earlier granted bail in the present case, however, they would remain in judicial custody in another case, which alleged a larger conspiracy behind the riots and attracted provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Delhi Police had registered FIR 101/2020 under Sections 109, 114, 147, 148, 149, 153-A, 186, 212, 353, 395, 427, 435, 436, 452, 454, 505, 34 and 120-B of IPC, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
As per a constable, a large crowd had gathered near Chand Bagh Pulia on February 24, 2020 and started pelting stones.
The policeman had alleged that while he went to a nearby parking lot to save himself, the mob broke the shutter of the parking lot and thrashed people present inside and also set the vehicles on fire.
On the basis of his statement, Delhi Police had registered the case. On February 28, 2020, the case was transferred to the Crime Branch.
The prosecution said that Tahir Hussain’s building was used by the alleged rioters for brick batting, stone pelting, pelting of petrol bombs and acid bombs.
It was also alleged that the said material was found lying on the third floor and rooftop of the building. Although Umar was not part of the mob, he and Khalid were accused of criminal conspiracy in the case.
The court had earlier granted bail to Khalid after observing that he cannot be permitted to remain behind bars on the basis of sketchy material against him.
It had noted that investigation in the case related to Umar Khalid had been completed and the charge sheet had also been filed. The Judge had earlier observed that Umar cannot be made to remain in jail for ‘infinity’ merely on account of the fact that other persons who were part of the riotous mob have to be identified and arrested in the matter.
Read the order related to Tahir Hussain here:
Tahir-Hussain