Umar Khalid, Former Student Leader at National Jawaharlal University | Photo credit: IANS
New Delhi: Former National Jawaharlal University student leader Umar Khalid and JNU student Sharjeel Imam have been booked under the strict Illicit Activities Prevention Act in connection with the case of riots in northeast Delhi. On November 22, Delhi police filed a supplemental charge sheet in a court here against Khalid and Imam in a case related to the alleged largest conspiracy in communal violence in Delhi in February.
The charge sheet was filed against Khalid, Imam and a Faizan Khan under UAPA and sections related to criminal conspiracy, murder, riot, sedition, illegal assembly and promotion of enmity on the grounds of religion, language, caste, etc. of the Indian Penal Code. PTI cited sources as saying.
According to the supplemental charge sheet, Khalid hatched a conspiracy to fuel the Delhi riots during the visit of US President Donald Trump to make global propaganda. Police have claimed that the communal violence was a “premeditated conspiracy” that was allegedly hatched by Khalid and two other people.
Police have also alleged that the former JNU student leader had twice made provocative speeches and incited people to come out and protests during Trump’s visit ‘to spread propaganda internationally about minorities in India who are being tortured’ .
Both Khalid and Imam detained under the strict law are currently in judicial custody.
On 6 November, the Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal had sanctioned the Delhi police for the prosecution of Khalid.
Delhi police filed the main charge sheet in September against members of Pinjra Tod and JNU students Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, Jamia student Millia Islamia Asif Iqbal Tanha, and student activist Gulfisha Fatima.
Former Congressional Councilor Ishrat Jahan, Coordinating Committee members Jamia Safoora Zargar, Meeran Haider and Shifa-Ur-Rehman, suspended AAP Councilor Tahir Hussain, activist Khalid Saifi, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Salim Malik, Mohd Salim Khan and Athar Khan have also been indicted in the Delhi riots case.
Delhi police have alleged that the community violence that rocked areas of northeast Delhi, including Seelampur, Jaffrabad, Gokulpuri, Kardampuri, Chand Bagh and Shivpuri was a premeditated conspiracy allegedly plotted by Khalid and others.
Parts of northeast Delhi witnessed widespread violence after clashes between supporters of the citizenship law and protesters spiraled out of control, leaving at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured.
