The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Delhi Police on the bail plea of Tasleem Ahmed, an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case. Ahmed has challenged the Delhi High Court’s order denying him bail, which had held that trial delay alone is not sufficient ground for release.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Delhi Police on the bail application of Tasleem Ahmed, who is facing charges in the 2020 Delhi riots-related “larger conspiracy” case.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale issued notice on Ahmed’s plea challenging a Delhi High Court order dated September 2, 2023, which had rejected his request for bail.
The High Court, in its order, had ruled that mere delay in the trial could not form the sole basis for granting bail. The bench had observed that:
“Except in cases of palpable violation of fundamental rights or breach of constitutional rights, bail cannot be granted on the sole factor of long incarceration or delay in trial.”
The High Court had further commented that certain co-accused who had secured bail were delaying arguments on framing of charges, thereby adversely affecting other accused who remain in custody.
Ahmed, along with activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, and several others, has been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. They have been accused of being the “masterminds” of the communal violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February 2020 during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The riots claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 injured.
The Supreme Court’s notice now brings Ahmed’s bail plea back into judicial focus, with Delhi Police expected to respond before the top court proceeds further.
