Delhi Police has vehemently opposed the bail plea of Umar Khalid, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. They asserted that Khalid actively propagated a false narrative through social media channels.

In a scathing submission before the Karkardooma court, the police highlighted Khalid’s alleged coordination with various individuals including actors, politicians, activists, and celebrities. They claimed Khalid sent links from certain news portals to these individuals with a request to share them on social media platforms, thereby amplifying a particular narrative.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad revealed that Khalid had communicated with notable figures such as Congress leader Jignesh Mewani, actors Pooja Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar, Zeeshan Ayyub, politician Yogendra Yadav, and news outlets like The Wire & Alt News. This communication, coupled with Khalid’s significant social media following, was portrayed as part of a larger conspiracy to distort facts.

Khalid, who is accused of involvement in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi communal riots, is booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The prosecution presented a video clip of Khalid’s father being interviewed by a news portal, where he expressed distrust in the Supreme Court, insinuating a deliberate attempt to sway public opinion.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Khalid allegedly urged members of a WhatsApp group to schedule protests following specific court proceedings. The prosecution rebuffed Khalid’s plea for parity with other co-accused who had been granted bail.

The matter has been adjourned to Wednesday for rebuttal by Khalid’s counsel.

Khalid and several others face charges under the UAPA and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code for their alleged roles as “masterminds” behind the February 2020 riots, stemming from protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).