Synopsis
Sharjeel Imam has been identified by a Delhi court as a key figure in a conspiracy to incite violence during the 2019 anti-CAA protests. The judge highlighted Imam's role in provoking the Muslim community and orchestrating public meetings to disrupt societal order.Key Takeaways
- Sharjeel Imam labeled a key conspirator in violence.
- He incited protests against CAA and NRC.
- Public meetings held to provoke unrest.
- Charges framed under various IPC sections.
- Riots in February 2020 resulted in multiple casualties.
New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) The court has described Sharjeel Imam as more than just an instigator, labeling him as one of the key figures in a broader conspiracy aimed at inciting violence during the anti-CAA protests of 2019. Charges have been formally framed against the former JNU activist and other individuals involved in the case.
Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh from the Saket Courts stated that Imam aimed to provoke the Muslim community and instigate significant violence against the enforcement of the CAA and NRC. He allegedly organized public meetings, disseminated inflammatory pamphlets in areas such as Munirka, Nizamuddin, Shaheen Bagh, and Jamia Nagar, and prepared and shared a video of his inflammatory speech on social media to sway the Muslim community.
The judge noted that Imam had also visited Aligarh Muslim University, inciting students against the government regarding the implementation of the CAA and NRC.
On December 13, 2019, at around 2:00 PM, he reportedly met with Jamia students and local residents in Jamia Nagar to incite them to create traffic disruptions in protest of the CAA and NRC, as stated by the court.
Imam, a senior PhD student, craftily tailored his speech, avoiding references to communities other than Muslims, while the intended targets of the 'chakka jaam' were individuals from other communities. The court remarked, “Why did Sharjeel Imam only incite Muslims to disturb societal functions? His speech was designed to elicit anger and hatred, inevitably leading to widespread violence by the unlawful assembly on public roads. It was a hate speech that incited one religion against another.”
Furthermore, the court emphasized that the formation of a large mob and the ensuing riots were not random occurrences but were instead part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by self-proclaimed leaders of the mob.
Sharjeel Imam faces charges under various sections of the IPC, including Sections 109 read with 120B, 153A, 143, 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 332, 333, 308, 427, 435, 323, and 341, as well as Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The Special Public Prosecutor contended that while Imam's speech appeared to advocate for a peaceful public movement against government policy, it fundamentally stirred feelings of hatred within the Muslim community against others under the guise of legislation perceived as unjust.
Imam and approximately a dozen other individuals are reportedly implicated in the larger conspiracy related to the 2020 Delhi riots, according to the Delhi Police.
The riots erupted in February 2020 in the national capital, as violent clashes occurred between anti-CAA and pro-CAA protesters, resulting in over 50 fatalities and more than 700 injuries.
