‘2020 Riots Accused Conspired To Choke Assam Out Of India,’ Delhi Police Tell Supreme Court

Activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and eight others have been in jail over five years in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. (Image: PTI/File)

The Supreme Court on Friday resumed hearing bail petitions filed by Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and others in the Delhi riots larger conspiracy case, with the Delhi Police presenting CCTV footage and reiterating its claim of a larger plot behind the violence.

Appearing for the Delhi Police, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Suryaprakash V Raju told the court that the violence was “huge”, adding that acids, petrol bombs and stones were used, including against policemen. The police also said that sticks and lathis were stockpiled, CCTV cameras were covered and that a police official had been killed during the unrest.

Clippings of CCTV visuals from Chandbagh were played in open court as part of the police’s submissions.

The ASG argued that the alleged conspiracy operated “under the guise of chakka jam”, and said that its purpose was to trigger violence at multiple locations. He said, “Their conspiracy was to choke Assam out of India. There are statements showing Assam was to be cut off from the rest of the country.”

Referring to violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, the ASG added that the “chicken neck areas” had also been targeted during related protests.