Did the Supreme Court Request Permanent Addresses from Delhi Riots Accused?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court has mandated the accused to submit permanent addresses.
- High-profile individuals involved include Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
- The case relates to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
- The accused are charged under the stringent UAPA.
- Next hearing is set for December 9.
New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has directed individuals implicated in the purported 'larger conspiracy' tied to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots to provide their permanent addresses. A panel comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria issued this order while considering the petitions initiated by student leaders Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, along with Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohd Saleem Khan, who face charges under the rigorous Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
“Please provide the current address for each individual,” stated the Justice Kumar-led panel. When senior counsel Siddharth Dave, who represents one of the petitioners, humorously mentioned that their “current address is jail,” the Supreme Court clarified that it required the permanent address for all accused individuals.
“Previous address,” the Justice Kumar-led panel remarked, instructing Dave to relay this requirement to all legal representatives. “I will request them to provide it,” replied Dave.
The apex court voiced its concern regarding the protracted arguments, noting that the bail hearing has lasted longer than typically expected for such cases.
“You are presenting a bail case as if it were a second appeal,” commented the Justice Kumar-led panel while establishing a timeline for the subsequent rejoinder submissions.
“Both sides have presented substantial arguments. We believe a timeline is necessary. Oral arguments should not exceed 15 minutes each, and clarifications by the ASG should be limited to 30 minutes,” the Supreme Court recorded in its order.
The case will be revisited on December 9.
When Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju informed the Justice Kumar-led panel of his unavailability on that date, the Supreme Court stated it would first conclude the petitioners’ rejoinder submissions before rescheduling him for December 10.
The Supreme Court instructed senior advocates Siddharth Dave and Salman Khurshid, representing Sharjeel Imam and Shifa, respectively, to ensure that all defense counsels submit the necessary address details to the Court Master ahead of the next listing.
Previously, the Delhi High Court had dismissed the bail applications of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, and several others implicated in the 2020 city riots 'larger conspiracy' case.