Student activist Gulfisha Fatima has filed a petition in the Supreme Court after her bail plea was rejected in the Delhi Riots 2020 case. She was arrested under UAPA and is accused of conspiring to incite riots.
New Delhi: Student activist Gulfisha Fatima, arrested in connection with the Delhi riots conspiracy case, has approached the Supreme Court. This move comes after the Delhi High Court dismissed her bail application. Gulfisha Fatima faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, UAPA. The police have accused her of hatching a conspiracy for the riots that occurred in February 2020.
High Court Rejects Bail Plea
On September 2, a division bench of the Delhi High Court, in a common order, rejected the bail petitions of Fatima and other accused. The court stated that the allegations are serious and it is not appropriate to grant bail in this case as per the law.
Following this order, Fatima has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's decision. In her petition, she argued that she has a legal right to timely justice and that prolonged incarceration is against the principles of justice. Sharjeel Imam has also challenged the same order in the Supreme Court.
Serious Allegations Against 18 Accused, Including Fatima
The Delhi Police's charge sheet alleges that Fatima, along with several other accused, conspired to orchestrate the riots that took place in Delhi in the last week of February 2020. These accused are also alleged to have played a role in instigating the anti-CAA protests and promoting violence.
The charge sheet mentions that the accused attempted to incite people through social media and public gatherings. The police claim that these activities posed a serious threat to peace and law and order. A total of 18 accused are named in this case, including Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Shadab Ahmed, Tasleem Ahmed, Salim Malik, Mohammad Salim Khan, Athar Khan, Safoora Zargar, Sharjeel Imam, Devangana Kalita, Faizan Khan, and Natasha Narwal.
Accused Granted Bail Previously
In June 2020, Safoora Zargar was granted bail on humanitarian grounds due to her pregnancy. Subsequently, in June 2021, the High Court granted bail to three other accused, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Devangana Kalita, and Natasha Narwal, on merits.
However, the bail petitions of Fatima and other accused have been rejected this time. Officials state that the case is serious and granting bail could hinder the police investigation. The decision of the Supreme Court in the filed petition will now determine the direction of this case.
Supreme Court Petition by Fatima Expected to Lead to Legal Review
Gulfisha Fatima's petition in the Supreme Court indicates that there will be an opportunity to review the High Court's decision on bail. Experts say that the hearing of the petition in the Supreme Court will involve listening to all legal arguments and a fair decision will be made from a judicial perspective.
Fatima's lawyer states that their client has been in custody for the past four years and her prolonged detention is against the principles of human rights. The Supreme Court's decision will have broad legal implications not only for Fatima but also for the cases of other accused.
