Delhi Riots – High Court Rejects Bail Plea of Accused Athar Khan
Delhi Riots – The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant bail to Athar Khan, who is accused of playing a key role in the February 2020 violence in northeast Delhi. The court said the material placed before it, at this stage, indicated Khan’s alleged involvement in the deaths and damage to public and private property during the unrest.
Court Cites Alleged Role in Violence
A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain examined the allegations and evidence related to Khan’s activities. The court noted that he was allegedly associated with others, including Umar Khalid, in a broader conspiracy connected to the violence.
According to the bench, messages from a WhatsApp group showed that some participants had spoken in favour of peaceful demonstrations. However, the court said Khan allegedly continued to pursue violent action despite those discussions.
Bench Notes Deaths During Unrest
The judges observed that the deaths reported during the riots could not be treated as accidental or unrelated to the alleged planning. The court said the prosecution material, viewed at the bail stage, suggested that Khan did not follow requests from others to avoid violence.
The bench stated that the allegations against him went beyond the role of a local participant. It said the available record prima facie indicated that he was among the principal accused persons alleged to have conspired in acts that resulted in fatalities during the riots.
Witness Protection Concerns Raised
The High Court also considered the prosecution’s concerns about the remaining stage of the trial. It noted that some witnesses are yet to give evidence before the court and said their protection was an important factor while deciding the bail request.
The bench further observed that Khan could pose a flight risk. It said there was a possibility that his release could affect witnesses whose statements have not yet been recorded during the proceedings.
Bail Plea Dismissed
On the basis of the allegations, the evidence referred to by the prosecution and concerns regarding witness safety, the court concluded that Khan was not entitled to bail at this stage.
The February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi led to deaths, injuries and extensive destruction of property. Several cases connected to the violence and alleged conspiracy are still being heard by courts. The case against Khan will continue through the trial process, where the prosecution and defence will present their evidence.