Delhi Police alleges 2020 riots were ‘regime change’ plot, opposes bail to Umar Khalid, four others

The Delhi Police on Thursday opposed the bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and three others accused of being part of a “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 Delhi riots, arguing that their alleged actions were part of a coordinated “regime change operation” carried out under the guise of civil dissent, the Hindustan Times reported.

In a 177-page affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the police also alleged that Khalid was the chief conspirator behind the riots and had mentored Imam in planning the first phase of the violence, according to Live Law.

Khalid and Imam, along with Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima and Shifa Ur Rehman, have challenged a judgement issued by the Delhi High Court on September 2, dismissing their bail applications.

The affidavit followed the Supreme Court’s direction on Monday, asking the police to submit their response to the applications by Friday.

The five activists were arrested between January and September 2020 in connection with the communal violence that broke out in North East Delhi in February 2020 between supporters of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and those opposing it. The violence had left 53 dead and hundreds injured. Most of those killed were Muslims.

The accused were charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Arms Act and sections of...

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