Delhi's 2020 riots were pre-planned? Here's what SC was told during Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam's bail plea

The Indian Supreme Court, while listening to the bail plea of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others accused, was told that the Delhi riots in 2020 were "pre planned". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared for the Delhi Police in the court on Tuesday (Nov 18) and argued that the riots were “pre-planned". They claimed that the accused delayed the trial and hence the five years in jail should not be the ground for their bail.

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The Delhi police also argued on October 30 that Khalid and his co-accused had used “sponsored” anti-CAA protests as a disguise and a “radicalising catalyst” to trigger nationwide communal riots.

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The apex court scheduled the next hearing for November 20. Mehta said in his argument, “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."

“Speech after speech, statement after statement, there was attempt to divide the society on communal lines. It was not merely an agitation against some act," he added.

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"Sharjeel Imam says it's his heartfelt wish for 'chakka jaam' for every city where Muslims reside. Not just in Delhi," Mehta submitted.