The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the city police on a plea by accused Mohd Khalid seeking discharge in the 2020 Delhi riots case linked to the murder of Head Constable Rattan Lal. Justice Shalinder Kaur directed the police to file a reply and listed the matter for further hearing on October 14.
The petition challenges a trial court’s November 22, 2024 order framing charges, including murder, arson, and dacoity, against Khalid and 24 others for their alleged role in the February 2020 violence at the Chand Bagh protest site during the anti-CAA/NRC agitation.
Accepting notice on behalf of the State, the special public prosecutor sought time to respond and reserved the right to argue on the maintainability of the plea.
In his petition, Khalid contended that the trial court had “blatantly disregarded” facts pertaining to him and failed to apply the settled legal principles for framing charges. He maintained that there was no prima facie case or cogent evidence linking him to the alleged offences.
“The chargesheet lacks any material that raises grave suspicion or establishes a direct nexus between the petitioner and the crime,” Khalid’s petition stated.
The case involves a violent incident on February 24, 2020, when a riotous mob allegedly attacked a police team attempting to stop demonstrators from blocking the Wazirabad road. Head Constable Rattan Lal, despite being unwell, reported for duty and succumbed to 24 injuries while shielding senior officers amid escalating tensions. The then DCP of Shahdara and ACP of Gokalpuri also sustained serious injuries, along with 50 other police personnel.
The trial court had found prima facie evidence of a criminal conspiracy by 11 key organisers and speakers of the anti-CAA protest, including Khalid. Others named in the conspiracy include Mohammed Salim Khan, Saleem Malik, Mohammed Jalaluddin alias Guddu Bhai, Shahnawaz, Furkan, Mohammed Ayub, Mohammed Yunus, Athar Khan, Tabassum, and Mohammed Ayaz.
Fourteen more individuals were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, including provisions for murder, attempt to murder, culpable homicide, rioting, and dacoity.
