The Delhi High Court denied bail to Tasleem Ahmed in the 2020 Delhi Riots UAPA case, citing conspiracy allegations and ongoing trial delays under stringent anti-terror law provisions.
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NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court dismissed the bail plea of Tasleem Ahmed, an accused in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) linked to the North East Delhi riots of February 2020. The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar.
Background of the Case
Tasleem Ahmed was arrested on June 24, 2020, on charges of being part of a larger conspiracy behind the Delhi riots. According to the prosecution, he played a role in orchestrating the violence during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. His case was de-tagged from other accused on the request of his counsel, thereby making his bail plea subject to independent consideration.
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Arguments by the Parties
Ahmed’s Argument:
Ahmed’s counsel, Advocate Mehmood Pracha, argued that his client was only an anti-CAA protester and not part of any conspiracy. He emphasized that Ahmed has been in custody for over three years and that the trial has been delayed, with arguments still ongoing before the trial court. On these grounds, Pracha urged the Court to grant bail, citing the precedent of co-accused Natasha Narwal, Devangana Kalita, and Asif Iqbal Tanha, who were released earlier.
Prosecution’s Stand:
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad strongly opposed the bail plea, arguing that the delay in trial proceedings was due to the defense and not the prosecution. He maintained that Ahmed’s role in the wider conspiracy was significant and therefore did not merit bail at this stage.
Meanwhile, a separate Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur is set to hear bail pleas of several other co-accused in the same case, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohd Saleem Khan.
ALSO READ: Transferred Judge Returns to Hear 2020 Delhi Riots UAPA Conspiracy Case from July 1
Background: 2020 Delhi Riots
The 2020 Delhi riots occurred in February 2020 in the northeastern parts of the national capital, leading to widespread violence, communal clashes, and significant loss of life and property. The violence, which lasted several days, resulted in the deaths of at least 53 people and left around 700 others injured.
The riots were triggered amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and counter-protests, eventually escalating into violent clashes between different communities.
In the aftermath, the Delhi Police registered several FIRs, including a major one related to an alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the riots.
This particular conspiracy case was filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — a stringent anti-terror law — and several student activists, civil society members, and political figures were named as accused.
One such accused is Tasleem Ahmed, who was arrested on June 24, 2020, for allegedly being involved in this broader conspiracy.
The charges against him and others include instigating violence and planning riots through protests and road blockades.
The case has seen significant delays, with over 700 witnesses listed, and even after five years, arguments on framing of charges are yet to be completed.
Due to the extended delay, several co-accused in the case — including Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, and Asif Iqbal Tanha — have already been granted bail by courts, citing the prolonged pre-trial detention and the right to a fair and speedy trial.
The matter remains ongoing, with increasing scrutiny over procedural delays and extended jail time without trial under harsh provisions of the UAPA.
Case Title:
Tasleem Ahmed v. State Govt. of NCT of Delhi
CRL.A.-1207/2024
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