9/11 Example Cited To Oppose Umar Khalid Bail Plea In Delhi Riots Case

Opposing the bail plea of Umar Khalid, an accused in Northeast Delhi violence case, a Special Public Prosecutor on Friday brought the example of the 9/11 attack in the US.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad before the Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat, cited the 9/11 example to counter Umar Khalid's claim that he only sent five messages on a WhatsApp group and was not present at the site.

Referring to the chargesheet, Mr Prasad argued that these people were remotely supervising the protest sites just like the conspirators of the 9/11 attack who were not in the US.

Mr Prasad said that on February 17, there were indications of the protest turning violent. Such messages were sent in the group. Khalid was in the group, but he remained silent.

During the arguments, Mr Prasad said there was a connection between Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. He further argued that Umar Khalid was the mentor of Sharjeel Imam.

He argued when they say that there was no connection between Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, it is wrong as they held a meeting together. In support of his argument, Mr Prasad shared a photo of meeting that took place between them at Jangpura.

"The first place for Chakka Jam was Jafrabad where Umar Khalid met Pinja Tod. The presence of these people was not natural," he said.

Mr Prasad submitted, ''The issue was never CAA-NRC. But it was how to embarrass the government, it is clear from the speeches made. While doing so, you took steps that would reflect in international media. Dard tha Babri ka, Triple Talaq ka, Dard tha 370 ka. The issue was never Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), it was about religious issues like Babri Masjid and Triple Talaq."

The prosecution had earlier argued that during anti-CAA protest, organizers created 25 protest sites in the vicinity of madrasas and mosques, but purportedly gave them a different name to tinge a secular colour.

The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on January 29, 2022.

Around 53 people lost their lives in the violence that erupted in northeast Delhi after clashes between two opposing factions over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).