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3w ago

Judge Returns to Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case After Transfer Reversal

Delhi High Court order ends risk of duplicating charge hearings, setting the stage for the trial to resume in July.

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ASJ Bajpai, who presided over the matter for over a year, was transferred out last month in a sweeping reshuffle of over 130 judges across Delhi’s district courts. (Representative photo)

Overview

  • The Delhi High Court on June 18 ordered Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai back to Karkardooma Court to hear the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.
  • Bajpai had led arguments on charges for seven months before a May 30 transfer to Saket Court threatened to force prosecutors and five accused to start over.
  • Eighteen individuals, including activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, face UAPA and IPC charges over alleged conspiracy in the February 2020 North East Delhi violence.
  • Delhi Police contend the riots, which left 53 dead and injured more than 500, were orchestrated to defame the Narendra Modi government after the citizenship law protests.
  • With the original judge reinstated, the case will reconvene in July following examination of a chargesheet exceeding 17,000 pages and testimonies from 47 protected witnesses.