Archive · 3 Dec 2025
2020 Delhi Riots: Accused Deny Regime Change Conspiracy
Some people are in jail for a long time because of riots that happened in Delhi in 2020.
The police say these people planned the riots to change the government.
But the people in jail say this is not true.
They say the police are making up new ideas to keep them in jail.
One of them, a woman named Gulfisha Fatima, has been in jail for almost six years.
Her lawyer says she should be let out because she is not a danger to anyone.
Another person, Umar Khalid, says he gave a speech far away from Delhi and it had nothing to do with the riots.
The police say his speech caused the riots, but he says that is not true.
Another person, Sharjeel Imam, says the police are calling him a terrorist, which he says is not fair because he has not been convicted of any crime.
The court is listening to all these arguments to decide if these people should be let out of jail.
Gulfisha Fatima, one of the accused, argues that the allegation of regime change is extraordinary and not substantiated in the chargesheet.
Umar Khalid's lawyer contends that Khalid's speech in Amaravati, Maharashtra, was misrepresented and did not instigate the Delhi riots.
Sharjeel Imam's lawyer argues that labeling him as an 'intellectual terrorist' is unfair and against the presumption of innocence.
The accused claim that the police are prolonging their incarceration by continuously filing supplementary chargesheets.
The Supreme Court is hearing the bail pleas of the accused and considering the arguments presented by both the defense and the prosecution.
- Who
- Gulfisha Fatima, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and other accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case
- What
- The accused are challenging the Delhi Police's allegations of a larger conspiracy to bring about regime change through the riots
- When
- The riots occurred on February 23-25, 2020, and the court hearing took place in 2024
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India
- Why
- The accused are seeking bail and challenging the police's allegations and evidence
- Accused
- Gulfisha Fatima, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam
- Allegation
- Regime change conspiracy
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Judges
- Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria
- Chargesheet Date
- September 16, 2020
- Duration of Incarceration
- Under six years for Gulfisha Fatima
- Riot Dates
- February 23-25, 2020
- Speech Date
- February 17, 2020 (Umar Khalid's speech in Amaravati)
