Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the 2020 Delhi riots were a pre-planned attempt to divide society communally, not a spontaneous protest. He argued accused activists are responsible for trial delays. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court directed police to update on riot investigations, noting petitions have been pending for six years without pursuing alternate legal remedies. Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam NEW DEHI: During a Supreme Court hearing on bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “There was an attempt to divide society on communal lines, it was not merely an agitation against CAA,”Tushar Mehta told the top courtStrenuously”First of all, that myth to be busted. This was not a spontaneous riot. It was a well designed, well crafted, well orchestrated, pre-planned riot. That will emerge from the evidence collected,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria.”Sharjeel Imam says it’s his heartfelt wish for ‘chakka jaam’ for every city where Muslims reside. Not just in Delhi,” Mehta submitted.The solicitor general said a narrative is being built on social media that something very serious is going on with young people. However, the accused themselves are responsible for the delay in trial.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for Delhi police, is currently arguing and the hearing is under way.Khalid, Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Rehman were booked under the anti-terror law and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the police to update it on the status of investigations into the 2020 Delhi riots.A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain issued the direction while hearing a batch of petitions related to the February 2020 violence, including pleas seeking FIRs against several political leaders for alleged hate speeches. The bench noted orally that the petitions have remained pending for six years despite the availability of an alternate legal remedy that the petitioners had not pursued.During the hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners highlighted the deaths that occurred during the riots. The bench responded that FIRs had already been registered and the police were conducting investigations, leaving “nothing” to be addressed in the existing petitions.The petitioner’s lawyer, however, alleged that the police were not conducting a fair probe and urged the court to order an independent investigation.To this, the bench said: “You challenge it before the magistrate. The magistrate will supervise. These are questions of facts. We cannot entertain questions of facts in writ petitions. You can give that evidence to the magistrate, who will look into it and pass orders. The high court cannot do this.”Reiterating that the petitioners had not availed the appropriate legal route for six years, the court remarked: “These petitions are pending for so long for no good reason. FIRs have been registered and the police are investigating.”The bench listed the matter for November 21 and asked Delhi Police counsel to submit the current status of the investigation and the number of FIRs filed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPiyush Goyal Calls India A Stability Anchor Amid Global Flux And Says The Coming 2 Years Are Pivotal‘We Made No Crime’ Prashant Kishor Admits Failure, Takes Full Responsibility for Bihar VerdictSheikh Hasina’s Close Aide Raises Terror Flag: Pak-based Terror Groups Being Welcomed in BangladeshMecca–Medina Tragedy: 45 Killed as Azharuddin Rushes to Assist Telangana FamiliesED Cracks Down On ‘White-Collar Terror Module’, Conducts 25 Raids Linked To Al-Falah UniversityUN Rejects ICT Verdict on Sheikh Hasina’s Death Penalty, But Backs Justice For Bangladesh VictimsPM Modi Reveals Why NDA Swept Bihar, Says Emotional Mode And 24×7 Development Win Elections In IndiaCalm And Radical: Dr Umar’s Pre-Blast Video Exposes Educated New Face Of Terror Behind Delhi Attack”Justice at Last”: Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina Gets Death Penalty; Victims Welcome VerdictJaishankar, Russian FM Lavrov Hold Key Talks in Moscow Ahead of Putin’s India Visit ‘In 3 Weeks’123PhotostoriesWhy Delhi’s 500-km road repair mission could be a turning point in pollution control10 animals whose names start with the letter P!Nayanthara’s ultimate comeback: 5 times ‘Lady Superstar’ proved critics wrongMassive Infosys IT campus rising in Noida—how this project could transform city’s futureKidney stones: Doctor shares 5 facts one should know before the pain strikesAfter years of protests, why Bengaluru’s Panathur–Balagere road fix still leaves commuters frustratedWant longer-looking legs? 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Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
NEW DEHI: During a Supreme Court hearing on bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, “There was an attempt to divide society on communal lines, it was not merely an agitation against CAA,”Tushar Mehta told the top courtStrenuously“First of all, that myth to be busted. This was not a spontaneous riot. It was a well designed, well crafted, well orchestrated, pre-planned riot. That will emerge from the evidence collected,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria.“Sharjeel Imam says it’s his heartfelt wish for ‘chakka jaam’ for every city where Muslims reside. Not just in Delhi,” Mehta submitted.The solicitor general said a narrative is being built on social media that something very serious is going on with young people. However, the accused themselves are responsible for the delay in trial.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for Delhi police, is currently arguing and the hearing is under way.Khalid, Imam, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Rehman were booked under the anti-terror law and provisions of the erstwhile IPC for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Tuesday directed the police to update it on the status of investigations into the 2020 Delhi riots.A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain issued the direction while hearing a batch of petitions related to the February 2020 violence, including pleas seeking FIRs against several political leaders for alleged hate speeches. The bench noted orally that the petitions have remained pending for six years despite the availability of an alternate legal remedy that the petitioners had not pursued.During the hearing, counsel for one of the petitioners highlighted the deaths that occurred during the riots. The bench responded that FIRs had already been registered and the police were conducting investigations, leaving “nothing” to be addressed in the existing petitions.The petitioner’s lawyer, however, alleged that the police were not conducting a fair probe and urged the court to order an independent investigation.To this, the bench said: “You challenge it before the magistrate. The magistrate will supervise. These are questions of facts. We cannot entertain questions of facts in writ petitions. You can give that evidence to the magistrate, who will look into it and pass orders. The high court cannot do this.”Reiterating that the petitioners had not availed the appropriate legal route for six years, the court remarked: “These petitions are pending for so long for no good reason. FIRs have been registered and the police are investigating.”The bench listed the matter for November 21 and asked Delhi Police counsel to submit the current status of the investigation and the number of FIRs filed.
