Prosecution Unveils Alleged Conspiracy Behind 2020 Delhi Riots

The prosecution began arguments on charges framing against accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The alleged planned conspiracy, masked as an organic protest, involved 20 people under UAPA. Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad emphasized the deep-rooted conspiracy with evidence of meetings and strategically placed protest sites.

The prosecution initiated its arguments on Thursday regarding the framing of charges against the accused involved in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The prosecution claims the supposed 'planned conspiracy' was disguised as an organic protest.

Activists Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain, among twenty others, are booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and several Indian Penal Code provisions for allegedly masterminding the riots that resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries.

On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai allowed the prosecution to start its arguments after addressing applications from some accused about the completion of the police investigation. Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad provided thorough arguments to show evidence of a conspiracy. He emphasized the protests were not organic but a pre-planned conspiracy, citing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill's Cabinet committee resolution as a trigger.

Prasad also referenced earlier court orders on bail pleas, which identified the conspiracy's existence. He read witness statements and highlighted meeting evidence. Prasad argued that numerous protest sites were strategically created to disrupt Delhi by blocking entry and exit points, establishing the alleged conspiracy's depth.

(With inputs from agencies.)