"Completely bereft of the reasons": Delhi Court asks Delhi Police why they seek production of Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi in handcuffs

A Delhi Court has sought reasons from Delhi Police for seeking the production of Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi in “handcuffs in both hands from back side" in a Delhi riots case as it opined that the applications moved for such purpose were "completely bereft of the reasons".

Vinod Yadav, Additional Sessions Judge, Karkardooma Court said,

"The instant applications are completely bereft of the reason(s), prompting the senior police officer(s) to take a decision to move such application(s). For want of material/reason(s) in respect of the applications in question, this Court is at a loss to consider the grant of prayer(s) in these applications.

In this view of the matter, let report(s) be called from DCP (Special Cell), who is dealing with the investigation of case FIR No.59/2020, PS Crime Branch (UAPA case) and DCP, 3^rd BN, DAP to communicate the reasons for moving such application(s) before this Court."

Report is also called from Superintendent Jail concerned on these applications.

Applications were filed by Incharge, Lock-Up, Karkardooma District Courts, Delhi for production of Umar and Khalid in “handcuffs in both hands from back side” as they are “high-risk prisoners”.

These applications were claimed to have been filed after a decision was taken in the matter by a senior police officer(s) of Delhi Police.

The Court recorded that when the Special Public Prosecutor was asked about the meaning of “high-risk prisoner” and where the same has been defined, the "Special PP submits that he was not aware of the instant applications and as such, he could not take instructions in the matter".

Considering that both Umar and Khalid had been granted bail in the matter that it was presumed that the orders were in the knowledge of senior police officers of Delhi Police, the Court opined that the application for handcuffing was completely bereft of reasons.

The other matter in which the two are implicated i.e. the UAPA FIR no 59/2020, was not before the present court, the Court added

The matter is now fixed for further hearing on May 6.

The Khajuri Khas FIR was registered with respect to the violence that broke out at the main Karawal Nagar Road, near Chand Bagh Pulia on February 24, 2020.

The case concerns the rioting which took place at or around the house of main accused Tahir Hussain.

While granting bail to Umar in the case, the Court had said that chargesheeting him in this case on the basis of "such insignificant material" was unwarranted."

Read the Order: