Delhi High Court seeks police response on Asif Iqbal Tanha’s plea challenging charges in 2019 Jamia violence case involving alleged rioting, conspiracy, and public property damage during anti-CAA protests.
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NEW DELHI: The case concerns violent clashes that erupted during protests at Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in December 2019. An FIR filed later alleged that the protests escalated into riots, with damage to property and injuries to police personnel.
Charges Framed by the Trial Court
On March 7, 2025, an Additional Sessions Judge at Saket Court framed charges against Asif Iqbal Tanha, Sharjeel Imam, and several others under diverse provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including hese include Section 109 for abetment, Section 120B for criminal conspiracy, and Sections 143, 147, 148, and 149 relating to unlawful assembly and rioting. Additionally, they face charges under Sections 186, 353, 332, 333, 308, 427, 435, 323, and 341, which cover a range of offences including obstructing public servants, assault, voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, attempt to commit culpable homicide, mischief causing damage by fire, and wrongful restraint.
The case also invokes relevant provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, alleging deliberate damage to public infrastructure during the protests.
The judge emphasized that Tanha was named in the FIR as one of the persons allegedly leading the mob, a claim supported by Call Detail Records (CDRs) and mobile location data. Sharjeel Imam was described as a “kingpin” of the alleged conspiracy.
High Court’s Move
On Monday, July 28, 2025, Delhi High Court Justice Sanjeev Narula issued a notice to the Delhi Police, seeking their formal response to Asif Iqbal Tanha’s plea challenging the framing of these charges. His plea, argued by advocate Siddharth Satija, contends that the trial court’s decision lacked critical evaluation and due application of mind, given the evidentiary record.
The HC has consolidated Tanha’s case with petitions filed by Sharjeel Imam and Chandan Kumar, directing all three matters to be listed for the next hearing on October 13, 2025.
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Tanha is also accused in the broader 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. He received interim bail from the Delhi High Court in June 2021, along with fellow activists Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, due to prolonged pre-trial incarceration and delays in court proceedings
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