In the last hearing on July 31, Delhi High Court had asked Delhi Police to file a reply in this case. During the hearing on Thursday, Delhi Police said in the High Court, “Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid were the masterminds of the Delhi riots. The police has important evidence against them related to planning the riots, mobilizing people and playing a strategic role in the riots.”
Delhi Police also said that the new bail petitions of both of them are in themselves 'illegal' and misleading the court. Delhi Police said that in January, the Supreme Court had granted bail to the co-accused in this case, but had refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam saying that their role in the Delhi riots was different.
Police also mentioned that at that time the Supreme Court had accepted that Section 43D (5) of UAPA is applicable in this case, which provides for strict bail conditions.
Delhi Police says that in its January decision, the Supreme Court, while refusing to grant bail, had imposed two conditions for fresh bail. Police said that the Supreme Court said that Umar and Sharjeel can file fresh bail petitions after the statements of important witnesses in this case or after completion of one year of this decision.
Police say that both these conditions have not been fulfilled yet. Therefore, the bail petitions of both should not be heard at this stage.
Let us tell you that this case is related to the riots in North-East Delhi in 2020 over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), in which more than 50 people died and hundreds were injured. Khalid and Sharjeel are in jail after their arrest in this case.