Delhi High Court Dismisses Khalid Saifi’s Plea Against Attempt to Murder Charges in 2020 Riots Case

*New Delhi, November 5* — The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by Khalid Saifi, founder of ‘United Against Hate’, challenging a trial court's decision to invoke charges of attempt to murder against him in connection with the 2020 North East Delhi riots. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri ruled against Saifi’s plea, noting the presence of witness statements indicating his involvement and provocation during the incident.

Saifi’s counsel argued that the charge under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) could not be justified, especially after the court had dropped charges under the Arms Act due to the absence of any recovered weapon or direct evidence attributing a gunshot to him. Despite these arguments, Justice Ohri maintained that the evidence, including witness testimonies, provided sufficient grounds to proceed with the charge.

In January, a lower court had framed charges of attempt to murder, rioting, and unlawful assembly against Saifi, former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan, and 11 others. However, the court had discharged them from alleged offences under Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, criminal conspiracy (Section 120A of the IPC), abetment (Section 107 of the IPC), and common intention (Section 34 of the IPC).

The prosecution's case stems from the February 2020 riots in north-east Delhi, where violence erupted amid clashes between different groups. The Delhi Police claimed that Saifi and Jahan provoked a crowd during a flag march in the Khureji Khas area, leading to stone-pelting that resulted in injuries to police officers. The police further alleged that a juvenile fired at the police on the instigation of Saifi and Jahan.

While Ishrat Jahan has been granted bail, Khalid Saifi remains in custody, with his bail application still pending before the Delhi High Court.