Arguments on charge in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case will not be heard afresh as the judge, who was hearing the case for a year and a half, was brought back to the Karkardooma Court Wednesday after he was transferred.
Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai was hearing arguments on charge, after the conclusion of which the trial of the case will begin, since September last year. Judge Bajpai was transferred to Saket Court at May end, and Additional Sessions Judge Lalit Kumar replaced him to hear arguments on charge afresh.
On Wednesday, a new notification published on the Delhi High Court website stated that ASJ Kumar had been transferred to Saket Court, and ASJ Bajpai was brought back to Karkardooma Court, where the larger conspiracy case is pending.
The Delhi Police told ASJ Bajpai on September 4 last year that they had completed their investigation. After that, ASJ Bajpai ordered that arguments on charge would commence the next day. While ASJ Bajpai heard arguments on charge for seven months, he was transferred following a reshuffle of 135 judges across Delhi on May 30 this year.
ASJ Lalit Kumar, who replaced ASJ Bajpai, heard the case for the first time on June 2. He directed the Delhi Police and the accused to furnish their schedule regarding the time frame and manner in which they would address the arguments. ASJ Kumar also stated that arguments on charge must be “expedited”.
The case is expected to be heard in July now.
The Delhi Police Special Cell started investigating the alleged conspiracy behind the riots soon after they broke out. The police booked the 18 accused under relevant provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The police argued that the 2020 Delhi riots were the result of a months-long “deep-rooted” conspiracy allegedly hatched after the Citizenship Amendment Bill got a nod from the Cabinet in December 2019.
Of the 18 accused arrested in connection with the case, 12 have been in jail for over four years.