Court discharges Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi in 2020 North East Delhi riots case

Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala after hearing arguments on behalf of Prosecution and Defence Counsel passed an order in a FIR registered in the year of 2020.

The court said, "Due to MCD elections, accused persons have not been brought to the lock-up for their production, as all security personnel have been deployed on election duty."

The court further said, "Vide my separate order on the point of charge of even date, announced in the open court today, accused persons namely Tahir Hussain, Liyakat Ali, Riyasat Ali, Shah Alam, Mohd. Shadab, Mohd. Abid, Rashid Saifi, Gulfam @ VIP, Arshad Qayyum, Irshad Ahmad and Mohd. Rihan @ Arshad Pradhan are found liable to be tried for offences punishable u/s 120B IPC r/with Sections 147, 148, 188, 153A, 323, 395, 435, 436, 454 IPC. They are also liable to be tried for offences punishable u/s 147, 148, 186, 188, 153A, 323, 395, 435, 436, 454 IPC r/with 120B and 149 IPC".

"Accused Tariq Moin Rizvi, Jagar Khan, Mohd. Illiyas, Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid are directed to furnish bond u/s. 437-A Cr.P.C. in the sum of Rs.10,000/- with one surety in the like amount" the court said.

In the last court said," Put up for framing of charge and admission denial of documents on 17.12.2022. Issue production warrant for accused Mohd. Tahir Hussain, Khalid Saifi and Umar Khalid, for next date.

In this matter an FIR was registered on the statement of a constable who stated that a large crowd had gathered near Chand Bagh Pulia on February 24, 2020 and started pelting stones.

Police has registered the case under sections 109, 114, 147, 148, 149, 153-A, 186, 212, 353, 395, 427, 435, 436, 452, 454, 505, 34 and 120-B of Indian Penal Code(IPC) along with sections 3 and 4 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. It was alleged that the mob broke the shutter of the parking lot and thrashed people present inside and also set the vehicles on fire.

Prosecution has alleged that former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain's building was used by the alleged rioters for brick batting, stone pelting, pelting of petrol bombs and acid bombs.

Defence counsel submitted that Umar was not part of the mob then also he and Khalid were accused of criminal conspiracy in the case by prosecution.

The court while granting the bail to Umar Khalid said that he cannot be permitted to remain behind bars on the basis of sketchy material against him.

(With UNI inputs)