The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal by Khalid Saifi, founder of ‘United Against Hate’, challenging the charge of attempt to murder filed against him in connection with the February 2020 communal riots in Northeast Delhi. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri upheld the charges, which are part of a broader case stemming from violent clashes that left 53 dead and approximately 700 injured.
The violence, which erupted between supporters and protesters of the citizenship law, led to severe communal strife. According to the police, on February 26, a mob gathered in Masjidwali Gali, Khureji Khas area, defying police orders to disperse, assaulting officers, and allegedly firing at head constable Yograj. Saifi, along with former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan, was accused of instigating the crowd.
Saifi’s legal challenge focused on the contention that the charges under the Arms Act had been dropped, as no weapons were recovered from him nor was the gunshot that injured the constable directly linked to him. He argued that this should preclude the framing of an attempt to murder charge under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
However, the High Court’s decision comes after the trial court, in January, directed that charges be framed against Saifi, Jahan, and 11 others for attempt to murder, rioting, and unlawful assembly. These charges were formally set in April, though the accused were cleared of criminal conspiracy, abetment, common intention, and charges under the Arms Act.
