A Delhi court has denied bail to an accused involved in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots on Tuesday. Mohammed Waseem, along with 27 others, had been booked by the Dayalpur police for various offenses under the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, attempt to murder, and violations of the Arms Act.
Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala rejected the bail plea on the grounds that the applicant was engaging in deceptive tactics. The judge noted that Waseem had filed the plea on the pretext of securing funds for his daughter’s admission to an educational institution.
The judge described Waseem’s tactics as a game of hide and seek, leading to a denial of the bail application. While considering the merits of the case, it was discussed that the defendant’s previous bail application had been rejected by the current court. However, the judge noted that the date of the order was not specified, and no copy of the order had been submitted.
In contrast, the investigating officers’ response stated that Waseem’s previous bail application had been withdrawn before the Delhi High Court. After withdrawing the aforesaid application, the present application was moved on May 30, and I cannot assume that grounds taken in this application could not have been taken before the Delhi High Court, the judge observed, while dismissing the application.
Violence broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020, leading to the deaths of over 50 people and injuries to hundreds. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and criticism from international organizations. The case is still ongoing, with multiple accused facing trial for their involvement in the riots.
