The Delhi High Court recently granted bail to Liyakat Ali, who is alleged to be a close associate of suspended Aam Aadmi Party councilor Tahir Hussain, in a case relating to the riots that broke out in the capital in February 2020.
A single-judge bench of the High Court presided by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait granted bail to Ali on the grounds that the police personnel, who are eye witnesses to the incident, had not made any complaint or PCR call to any authority regarding Ali’s involvement prior to March 28, 2020, the day when his first statement was recorded.
The bench has further noted that there was no CCTV footage or electronic evidence on record to establish that the petitioner was present at the spot at the time of alleged incident.
“Petitioner is a 63-year-old man. Admittedly, no electronic evidence like CCTV footage or videography or photograph has been placed on record to establish petitioner’s presence at the spot at the time of alleged incident,”
-the order said.
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The court granted bail to Ali upon furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs 25,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of trial court concerned.
“Petitioner shall not directly or indirectly influence the witnesses or tamper with the evidence. Trial court shall not get influenced by any observations made in this order,”
-the bench concluded.
The Delhi Police has named Ali in three FIRs registered by it and has been booked under under sections 147, 148, 149, 153A, 307, 505, 120B and 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 along with sec. 27 and 30 of Arms Act.
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According to the prosecution, Ali is accused of pelting stones, petrol bombs and leading a mob resulting to the riots. Liyakat Ali along with his son Riyasat worked for Tahir Hussain.