[Delhi Riots] Issue was not CAA, NRC but to embarrass government in foreign media: Prosecution to Delhi Court

The prosecution in the Delhi Riots case on Friday argued that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam aimed to embarrass the government in front of the international media, under the guise of protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) [Umar Khalid v. State].

The submission was made before Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat during the hearing of the bail plea of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, who is an accused in the case.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad argued,

“Case of prosecution is that Sharjeel Imam was acting at the behest of Umar Khalid. Issue was not CAA, NRC. Issue was you had to somehow embarrass the government and take steps, which would reflect in international media.”

The prosecutor also played a video of a speech given by Khalid at Amravati, Maharashtra. He contended that Khalid was trying to create a public perception far from what reality was.

Prasad submitted,

“If we carefully analyse the speech, he is trying to create a fear among people by saying "aapke upar aatank ka mahaul hai" (there is terror looming over you).”

Referring to Khalid’s speech where he mentioned the visit of US President Donald Trump, the prosecutor argued that Khalid sought to create an environment that was aimed for the international media.

Further, Khalid was stated to have chosen his words while using terms such as “Tiranga” or tricolour and “Constitution,” only to avoid the rigmarole of being booked again. According to the prosecutor, he had been booked in 2016 and was careful this time.

The arguments will continue on Saturday.

Sharjeel Imam, another accused in the Delhi Riots cases, was recently ordered to be charged for the offence of sedition and unlawful activities by the Court.

According to the Delhi Police's case, the Delhi Riots were part of a pre-meditated, deep-rooted conspiracy hatched by the accused persons. It is alleged that the accused persons conspired to cause disruption to such an extent and magnitude that would lead to disorderliness and disturbance of law and order at an unprecedented scale.

The Court had, on November 24, 2020, taken cognisance of the chargesheet filed against Khalid and others under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), stating that there was sufficient material to proceed against them.