Arguments on charge in the Delhi riots ‘larger conspiracy’ case will have to begin afresh as the judge who had been hearing the case for the last 18 months has been transferred.
Out of the 18 accused arrested in the case, 12 have been in jail for over four years.
From October to May 2025, five accused — including former JNU student leader Umar Khalid, former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Shifa Ur Rehman, and Safoora Zargar — had completed their arguments on charge. The prosecution also completed its arguments during day-to-day hearings.
After the remaining persons finished their arguments, the trial of the case would’ve begun.
Family members and lawyers of the accused called the delay a “punishment”.
Shortly after the riots broke out, which left 53 dead and 700 injured, the Delhi Police Special Cell started investigating the alleged conspiracy behind them. During its investigation, it booked the 18 accused under relevant provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and IPC.
The case of the Special Cell was that the riots were the result of a months-long “deep-rooted” conspiracy allegedly hatched after the Citizenship Amendment Bill got a nod from the Cabinet in December 2019.
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.
